BELLINGHAM - The Bellingham Housing Authority has been awarded a little over $9.9 million in federal stimulus money, which will be used to make three of its senior high-rise buildings in the city more energy- and water-efficient.
The dollars will be spent on Lincoln Square, Washington Square and Chuckanut Square, which have a total of 396 units.
"We are extremely excited about receiving these funds," said Dave Bergmann, chief operating officer for Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authorities.
"The three high rises are projects that have not received any substantial funding for rehab in about 20 years," he said, "where our family properties have all undergone some type of rehab in that period."
The money is part of $300 million in Recovery Act competitive grants given to 36 public housing authorities nationwide for projects that reduce energy costs and encourage healthier lifestyles for residents, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Locally, the grant will be spent on new energy-efficient windows, more roof insulation, solar panels to heat water, and to replace outdated mechanical, electrical and water systems. The energy gathered by the solar panel will be directed into the power grid for purchase by Puget Sound Energy, Bergmann said.
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