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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Housing Department announced today it was awarded $163.3 million from the state's Strategic Growth Council to help finance seven affordable housing projects providing 929 units, with 95% of them reserved for low-income and extremely low-income households.
``Angelenos want and deserve a city with affordable housing and improved transportation so every family can afford their rent, breathe clean air and access opportunity, no matter where they live,'' Mayor Eric Garcetti said. ``This funding from the (Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities) program is an investment in more affordable housing across our city -- and a down payment on a more sustainable and livable future for our residents.''
Of the total funding awarded, LAHD will use $105.7 million for new affordable housing construction and $54.78 million for transit-related infrastructure projects, including more than seven miles of pedestrian and cycling improvements.
The State of California Strategic Growth Council uses the AHSC program to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and driving by helping fund affordable housing near work, retail and other highly-trafficked facilities, officials said. The Los Angeles Housing Department expects the seven projects using the funding to reduce more than 252,822,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
City officials said the seven developments awarded this year have conservation features such as vegetated open space to reduce the urban heat island effect, drought-resistant landscaping with drip irrigation systems, subterranean storm water for drip irrigation, solar systems to offset energy consumption and energy-efficient appliances.
``LAHD is excited to once again receive this award of Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities funding,'' said LAHD General Manager Ann Sewill. ``These seven developments will include bicycle and pedestrian improvements, energy efficiency and water conservation elements, connections to high quality transit and other features that help create a more livable and sustainable Los Angeles.''
The AHSC program has allocated funding to LAHD proposed projects for six consecutive years, totaling about $494.2 million for 35 housing developments with 3,872 units, 3,558 of which are affordable.