Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New 73-Unit Paisano Green Community Tomorrow

Press Release

On Friday, April 20, 2012 Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) will join U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez, the Housing Authority of El Paso (HACEP), and other state and local officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Paisano Green Community.

"The Paisano Green Community is a model project for the Recovery Act Green Communities Initiative. What was once a vacant property, in a city with a large demand for affordable housing, has now become one of the most energy-efficient housing units in the United States," said Congressman Reyes. "This investment will help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing in El Paso with the addition of 73 energy-efficient units. These units will not only help reduce our community's energy and water consumption, but will also help families save money on utility costs."

The "Paisano Green Community" is the first Net Zero, LEED Platinum, public housing community in the nation. This 73-unit community will provide affordable housing for approximately 100 low income seniors.

This project was made by possible by an $8.25 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. El Paso was one of only 36 communities in the nation, and the only one in Texas, awarded with a competitive grant for the construction of "green' affordable housing units. This grant will be leveraged with an additional $7 million through the Capital Fund Program and HACEP reserves. Funding also includes a $500,000 loan from the City of El Paso.

"This is another significant investment in our community's long term infrastructure made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Congressman Reyes. "Over $1 billion in federal Recovery Act funding has been invested in the El Paso community, and this landmark legislation continues to have a major impact on our community's long term economic health."

Important construction projects made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are the Americas Interchange connecting I-10 and Loop 375, the Glory Road and Westside Sun Metro bus terminals, the new Warrior in Transition Complex at Fort Bliss, Project Vida community health clinic expansion, and more.

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