The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Wednesday over $10.6 million in new housing investments in Mississippi.
Under HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), East Columbia Apartments in Columbia received $5,760,000; Traceway Villas in Tupelo received $2,480,000; and Turner Memorial Retirement Center in Leakesville received $2,400,000. The funding is part of nearly $279 million in awards to properties across 23 states and territories.
The latest grants and loans from HUD aim to increase energy and water efficiency, reduce climate pollution, generate renewable energy, reduce housing operating costs, promote the use of green building materials, and improve the quality of life for residents by making their homes more resilient to climate hazards.
The total number is now at $1.12 billion awarded from HUD through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to 225 properties and nearly 26,000 rental homes to make for greener, healthier, and safer living environments. 11 of those properties participate in the federal project-based rental assistance program for low-income seniors and six in the program for low-income persons with disabilities.
“HUD has awarded over $1.1 billion through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to modernize housing for families across the country as the climate crisis continues to affect our most vulnerable communities,” HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman said. “The awards announced today advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s housing and clean energy goals to ensure families we serve live in resilient, energy efficient, and comfortable homes where they can thrive.”
Wednesday’s announcement was the fourth and final set of awards made under the GRRP’s Comprehensive category, which provides funding to properties with the highest need for climate resilience and utility efficiency upgrades. One remaining award announcement for the GRRP’s Elements category is expected in the coming months.