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Housing Authority receives much-needed funds

Date: 5/4/2010

May 5, 2010.

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The West Springfield Housing Authority won't be skimped this time. They're one of the lucky few receiving funds from the Patrick-Murray Administration's Massachusetts Recovery Plan.

The Housing Authority is the only one in Western Massachusetts, and just one of eight statewide to receive a portion of the plan's $4.49 million -- part of $25 million allocated for public housing energy upgrades by the state's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) -- for desperately needed weatherization and energy upgrades.

Kirk Jasko, acting director of West Springfield Housing Authority, said the funds were long overdue. "We were in line for this [funding] five years ago and it was yanked out from under us," he said.

Jasko explained the funds would be used for furnace replacement in 90 units at Birch Park Circle and seven other units across town totaling $848,000. He added other upgrades such as insulation and new windows are also needed.

"I have 100 tenants right up here at Oxford Place and we're in need of some siding and windows because when the wind blows [outside] the curtains move [inside]," Jasko explained.

Whether the West Springfield Housing Authority will receive additional funds in the future to complete other necessary upgrades is anyone's guess, he said.

The DHCD previously allocated $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds prior to last week's announcement.

"This investment will help us to strengthen communities, save money and put people back to work," Gov. Deval Patrick said. "Most importantly, it will allow us to improve the quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth by giving them a cleaner and healthier environment."

The overall package includes $122 million to weatherize approximately 17,000 homes throughout the next two years.

"Many of our public housing developments in Massachusetts are more than 50 years old and are in dire need of heating system and other energy efficiency upgrades," Tina Brooks, undersecretary of DHCD, said. "This latest allocation of recovery funds will help us to further improve the condition of public housing in Massachusetts."