City Joins Housing America 2007 Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2007

For more information contact:
Jennifer Osterholt, Director, Bloomington Housing Authority, 339-3491 ext. 123
Lisa Abbott, Director, Housing and Neighborhood Development, City of Bloomington, 349-3576
Maria Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Housing Authority have joined affordable housing industry partners across the nation in support of the Housing America 2007 campaign.

"Affordable housing availability is one of the most critical components of a community's quality of life," Kruzan said. "The Housing America Campaign highlights the national affordable housing shortage and the need for programs, policies and resources to address local housing needs more effectively."

Nationally, public housing is a $100 billion asset that supplies housing to more than two million people, of whom more than 40 percent are children.

Locally, the Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA) works in conjunction with the City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) to provide affordable housing, services and programs to Bloomington residents.

The BHA services approximately 2,500 households each year, including approximately 1,650 children. Its annual budget is more than $9 million, a large portion of which is used to pay rent assistance on behalf of income-eligible residents to local, private landlords. The BHA owns and operates 310 units of public housing in three complexes including Crestmont, Reverend Butler and Walnut Woods.

For 2007, the Bloomington Housing Authority will receive only 83 percent of its need-based funding as calculated by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The result is a large funding loss for operations and general maintenance of properties and a decrease in the amount of rent assistance available to families in need.

The City's HAND Department receives Community Development Block Grant and HOME Partnership Investment funding from HUD. In 2007, HAND will invest more than $1.2 million in the community by making infrastructure improvements, by helping local nonprofits and social service programs, and by providing affordable housing assistance.

Housing America 2007 is spearheaded by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, a membership organization of 21,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals, along with 12 partner organizations standing in support of housing and community development interests.

For additional information about Housing America 2007 or City housing issues, contact the City's HAND Department at 349-3401 or visit [www.bloomington.in.gov|http://www.bloomington.in.gov].