Housing agencies to get $8.9 million

Local public housing agencies that have struggled in recent years to make do with shrinking federal resources will receive about $8.9 million in stimulus funds to build or renovate housing for the poor, officials announced on Wednesday.

The Las Vegas Housing Authority, which is the largest of the valley's three public housing agencies, will receive the lion's share of the funds, about $6.7 million, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

"Isn't that cool?" said Carl Rowe, executive director of the Las Vegas agency. "It's found money."

Rowe said his agency will use the money, pending HUD's approval, to partly fund construction of an $11 million, 65-unit senior public housing project in West Las Vegas, an area bordered by Carey Avenue, Bonanza Road, Interstate 15 and Rancho Drive.

The Clark County Housing Authority, which is getting $1.7 million, plans to update playgrounds and replace deteriorating roofs and air conditioners at its public housing complexes, among other improvements.

"That money will go a long way," said Howard Wasserman, interim executive director of the agency. "This is a really good time for housing authorities."

The troubled North Las Vegas Housing Authority, which is the smallest of the three agencies, will get $469,798 in stimulus funds.

The agency hopes to put the money toward demolition of the crumbling Casa Rosa public housing complex for families, who will be given Section 8 vouchers to rent housing, City Manager Gregory Rose said.

The North Las Vegas agency has faced myriad administrative and financial troubles in recent years, including failing to use millions of dollars in public money meant to house poor people. The city took over management of the housing authority in December. A HUD spokesman said federal officials are confident the agency now is being competently managed.

The three local housing agencies have a collective budget of about $109 million and manage 3,170 public housing units and nearly 9,000 Section 8 vouchers.

The federal grant funds, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, are part of $3 billion being disbursed to more than 3,000 housing authorities nationwide.

The Reno Housing Authority will receive $1.3 million.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.