Ark. to get $19 million in public housing grants

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas will get more than $19 million in grants from the federal government for public housing, as officials acknowledge that housing authorities across the country need much more help.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Friday that 105 housing authorities across Arkansas would split the grants.

HUD says the funding can go toward improvements like new roofs and upgrades to make plumbing and electrical systems more energy-efficient.

Little Rock’s housing authority will receive $1.7 million. North Little Rock will get about $1.4 million.

Sandra Henriquez, an assistant secretary of HUD, says in a news release that Friday’s announcement only scratches the surface. She says housing authorities need nearly $26 billion in funding to make their buildings safe and livable.