Umemployed Hoosiers; Affordable Housing - September 25, 2009
September 25, 2009
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.
In this week's Carson Courier:
Supporting Unemployed Hoosiers
Expanding Affordable Housing Opportunities
SUPPORTING UNEMPLOYED HOOSIERS
On Wednesday, I voted to pass the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, which provides an extra 13 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) to workers living in high unemployment states like Indiana, bringing the total available to 46 weeks. This legislation will provide a critical increase in unemployment assistance, which thousands of Hoosiers use to cover their basic food, housing and transportation costs while searching for employment.
When enacted into law, this legislation will bring immediate assistance to an estimated 314,000 people across the country, including 10,000 in Indiana alone. Without action by Congress, unemployment benefit funding would have been exhausted by the end of September, leaving tens-of-thousands of households without the means to provide the basics for their families.
For additional information on how to apply for Emergency Unemployment Compensation, visit here.
EXPANDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
In this difficult economic climate, thousand of residents across the 7th Congressional District are relying on local agencies to provide quality, affordable housing for their families. These agencies are helping to restore pride in our neighborhoods and are working to create strong communities where families can thrive.
That is why I am proud to congratulate the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA), which this month was awarded four grants totaling over $15 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These grants, which were a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to revitalize local affordable housing communities and make units more energy efficient through the use of Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency boilers/furnaces and programmable thermostats or controls.
These grant announcements have provided a further reminder of the tremendous impact that the Recovery Act is having on our city. Not only will they help lift up these public housing communities, these grants will reduce energy consumption and spur local investment that creates and supports jobs for working-class Hoosiers.
The full list of awardees can be found here.
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District in Congress.