Local and federal officials have announced a private-public partnership to upgrade public housing in Evansville.
Phase One of the Rental Assistance Demonstration project – or RAD – will provide more than $18 million to refurbish two-thirds of the city’s public housing apartments.
The private-public program is designed to reduce reliance on funding from Congress.
During a news conference outside White Oak Manor on St. Joe Avenue, Evansville Housing Authority Board Chairman David Hatfield said he was skeptical about RAD at first, but now realizes it's the "best alternative" for EHA.
John Hall of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development praised Mayor Lloyd Winnecke for his efforts, and called on the EHA to work with him.
And longtime public housing resident Mildred Robinson was grateful. She's lived in public housing most of her life.
The EHA is the first housing agency in Indiana to join RAD.
Officials say Phase Two of the program will provide another $12 million to refurbish more local housing units.
