Monday, June 26, 2010

Housing Authority of the City of Pueblo

U.S. HUD Deputy Ron Sims to highlight Pueblo’s use of stimulus funds in stopover tour to Colorado on June 29

Pueblo, CO - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims and Regional Administrator Rick Garcia will visit Pueblo on July 29 to celebrate the Pueblo Housing Authority’s sucessful use of $1.7 million in stimulus funds to upgrade housing units and create jobs in Pueblo. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the home of 51-year-old Johnny Gallegos, who doesn’t hesitate when sharing his appreciation of the handicap accessibility improvements made to his duplex at 806 Santa Clara Avenue.

“I'm tremendously grateful," said Gallegos, who became wheelchair-bound after a car accident in 1987. "I have so many obstacles to overcome as it is; the improvements truly make my life that much easier and give me the freedom to take care of myself."

Gallegos’ home is owned by the Housing Authority and is one of more than 80 that received interior and exterior upgrades thanks to the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds granted to the City of Pueblo in March 2009. The ARRA Law was signed in by President Obama February 2009 to jumpstart the economy and help those in need.

Pueblo Housing Director Frank Pacheco said that 100 percent of the stimulus funds have been obligated, and that a total of 9 local businesses were contracted to complete the projects that included installation of a new elevator at the Authority’s Mesa Tower, an eleven-story senior home near Downtown. Contracted businesses include Aguilar Construction, Alcala Construction, Sierra Blanca, Total Service, Spaccamonti Excavating, Schrock Electric, A-Var Electric, Otis Elevator Co., and Royal Electric.

“The $1.7 million that we received was directly invested in our community,” said Pacheco, who cites more than 70 employees that worked on the various projects since April 2009. “It not only helped improve living conditions for our residents, but also helped our local contractors that were hit hard by the recession."

To attend the ceremony, RSVP by calling the Pueblo Housing Authority Office at 719-544-6230. Reservations are required. For more information about the ceremony or Pueblo’s ARRA stimulus funds, contact Pacheco at 719-584-7627 or frank.pacheco@hapueblo.org.

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