GNV Housing Authority receives $250,000 grant

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a $250,000 Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Grant to the Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA).  

GHA plans to use the funding to improve overall safety conditions for several developments by purchasing new doors and carbon monoxide detectors.  

“Our goal is to always provide our residents with a safe and secure place to live and grow,” said Pamela Davis, CEO of the Gainesville Housing Authority, in a press release. “This grant funding will aid us in making improvements needed to increase security and cultivate a safe and welcoming community that our residents can thrive in.” 

Over the next two months, GHA will work with Oelrich Construction Inc. to find contractors to install 114 new front entry doors and security screen doors for East Wood Meadows, Caroline Manor, and Forest Pines.  

All GHA developments will also receive more than 400 new carbon monoxide detector installations.  

“Some of our units are more than 50 years old with significant wear and tear,” Davis said. “Investing in physical improvements can have a significant positive impact on our residents’ physical and mental health. That’s why sourcing funding for capital improvements is so critical because it helps us deliver on our mission to preserve and develop quality affordable housing to improve our residents’ quality of life.”  

GHA is one of 61 public housing authorities receiving grants to make capital improvements at their developments.  

“This is just one more step in ensuring the safety and security of our residents at a few of our public housing properties,” said Malcolm Kiner, COO of GHA, in an interview. “As it says in the press release, most of our public housing properties are fairly old between 40 and 50 years old so this is just a small thing but still something that goes towards improving the safety and security of our residents at those properties.” 

HUD committed nearly $10.4 million to help enhance the security and safety of public housing residents throughout the country.