FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2009

CONTACT: Emily Barocas/202-225-7295

LARSON HOUSING AND EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES APPROVED BY CONGRESS

Washington, DC -- Today, the House of Representatives approved funding requested by Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) for critical housing and social services projects in the Hartford area at the Hartford Housing Authority, Mercy House and Shelter Corporation and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Hartford. The funding would allow for the renovation and revitalization of two local low-income housing facilities as well as the development of educational programs and facilities in distressed neighborhoods. The projects come as part of a broader bill that will help enact President Obama's long term economic strategy to provide short term help to the neediest Americans and long term solutions to help improve our economy and give our youth the opportunity to succeed.

Congressman Larson said, "These vital projects will help our neighbors who have been hit hardest by the economic downturn now by providing them with a place to live and in the long run by giving their kids the tools to succeed in the future."

·         The Boys and Girls Club of Hartford will receive $600,000 to establish a new presence in Hartford with a focus on decreasing neighborhood violence and giving local children new personalized educational opportunities.  The funding would allow the Boys and Girls Club to renovate space for a headquarters within the SAND Community Center and give them support to expand their educational-services during after school hours.

·         $500,000 in funding for the Hartford Housing Authority will help provide housing for those at risk of losing theirs by attracting new tenants into the apartments at Nelton Court. The complex, built in 1947 houses 90 families in units described as "non-repairable," requiring extensive and costly upgrades to make them livable.  The less expensive plan will demolish the entire complex and replace it with approximately 80 units and a community center.

·         The Mercy House and Shelter Corporation will receive $500,000 to restore the 200 year-old landmark St. Elizabeth House to bring it up to code and make it usable for housing.

"These organizations provide vital services to our neighborhood and can help pave a pathway for a more robust local economy, a brighter future for our youth and a better sense of community on our streets," said Congressman Larson.

These projects were included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill that will make targeted investments to provide short term help in the form of housing and jobs to those hurt most by the economic downturn and long term solutions like improved infrastructure to put our economy on sound footing for the future.  It invests in the next generation of high speed passenger rail and new commuter and light rail systems to increase our use of public transportation and help wean us off of our addiction to foreign oil.  It invests in grant programs that revitalize neighborhoods and spur economic development in vacant commercial and industrial sites and improves our nation's aging highway system to make transportation safer and more efficient.

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