| CHICAGO,
IL – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today applauded the announcement
by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will help
the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) rid its developments of 1,000 guns.
“We
have an obligation to provide our public housing residents with the safest
possible environment. Every gun off our street is a potential life saved.
That is why HUD’s gun buy back program makes sense,” Schakowsky said.
For
reprogramming $100,000 of its FY’99 crime prevention funds to be used for
the Gun Buyback Initiative, CHA will receive $43,000 from HUD. The program
will take place in early June 2000 and will approximately take 1,000 guns
off the streets at a cost of $100 a gun. The remainder of the funds
will be used for gun disposal and community outreach. The Gun Buyback Initiative
will target 14 CHA public housing developments.
“HUD
and CHA should be commended for their proactive work to rid our communities
of guns. As a member of the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee,
I look forward to Chicago and all communities benefiting from this worthy
program,” Schakowsky added.
In
Congress, Schakowsky is working with HUD and CHA officials and other members
to ensure that such programs are fully implemented. She has been
a staunch defender of HUD’s Gun Buyback Initiative. |
