HUD Awards $3.5M For Public Housing In Fire-Disaster Areas

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded an additional $3.5 million in voucher funding to public housing agencies in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County and Ukiah in Mendocino County that were affected by the 2017 wildfires.

Santa Rosa will receive $2,158,778, Sonoma County will receive $800,000 and Ukiah will receive $517,024.

The $3.5 million is included in the additional $50 million in voucher funding to 26 public housing agencies in the United States and Puerto Rico. The funds are intended to help public housing agencies support existing
and new families in the Housing Choice Voucher Program who live in or around disaster areas.

Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman said today they advocated for the additional funding made available through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 that became law in February.

"Ensuring our communities still recovering from last year's fires have access to affordable housing is a critical piece of our efforts to rebuild. We want to ensure everyone has a roof over their heads that they can afford right here in our district," Thompson said in a statement.

Huffman said affordable housing must be readily available for families struggling to get back on their feet.

"I'm glad to see that this vital housing support will finally be allocated to those in need," Huffman said.

In a statement, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore said, "The new funding will allow the Sonoma County Housing Authority to house 180 families on a years-long waiting list.

"The Housing Choice Voucher program helps low income members of our community rent homes in the private market, so every dollar helps us fill critical needs," Gore said.

Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Coursey said, "A year later, some families are still struggling as a result of the fire's devastation to our community, and we need all the help we can get to make sure each of our residents has a
safe and secure place to call home."

• ALSO SEE: County Supes Pave Way For New Housing Options Following Fires

--Bay City News/Image of October 2017 fires via Al Francis of NapaSonomaPhotos.com