PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Three apartment complexes in Port Arthur have recieved $52 million dollars as part of the Biden administration Investing in America agenda.
The U.S. Department to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it is awarding $173.9 million in new loans and grants under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program’s (GRRP) Comprehensive and Elements categories, according to a HUD news release.
This investment is supposed to tackle the climate crisis and support equitable economic development in the United States, according to the release.
In Port Arthur the three apartment complexes that will share the $52,160,000 include Crystal Creek Park apartments, Cedar Ridge apartments and Heatherbrook Apartments.
Developer ITEX owns all of the affordable housing complexes. They're located near 9th Avenue and Jimmy Johnson Boulevard.
"We applied for loans for these properties to be able to reduce the carbon footprint and make the properties more climate resilient," said ITEX Vice President of Green Energy Brian Allen.
Out of the $174 million available nationally from the loans and grants, almost 30% is going to Port Arthur, according to the release.
ITEX received the money from HUD's Green and Resilient retrofit Program.
"We are bringing new technology to these properties that would not normally be afforded to a low income property. Car chargers for electric cars. We're looking at putting in solar panels to reduce the utility bills. If you reduce the utility bills that puts money in people's pockets," Allen said.
City leaders say the money will reduce the carbon footprint and improve climate resiliency. People who live there should benefit by seeing their utility bills go down.
Allen says part of the $52.1 million will allow ITEX to fortify their apartments against dangerous weather.
"Climate resilient roofs. We're also looking at climate resistant storm-grade windows. But these storm grade windows are also green," he said.
The announcement today includes the first set of awards made under the GRRP’s Comprehensive category. This provides funding to properties with the greatest need for climate resilience and energy efficiency upgrades, the release states.
From new windows to added insulation, these green improvements will make the three complexes better for residents and the environment.
"This lets money come to the communities," said Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie.
Bartie is excited to see his city investing in affordable green energy.
"I think that everyone should have the availability of all of the amenities that everyone else has," he said.
Bartie calls the ambitious green energy initiatives and sturdy storm protection the perfect recipe to strengthen the city.
"To do it in the great city of Port Arthur, it just has me excited," said Bartie.
Among the 19 properties receiving Comprehensive awards, five have less than 50 units, seven have between 50 and 100 units, and all serve low-income residents and about half serve seniors, according to the release.
Sixteen of the properties face risks from hazards such as flooding, heat waves, earthquakes, tornados, lightning, hail, severe winter weather and ice storms, the release said.
There are also 11 awards under the GRRP’s Elements category. This is the second set of awards for this category. It provides funding for property owners to include climate resilience as well as energy and water efficiency improvements as part of a development or rehabilitation transaction, according to the release.
ITEX CEO Chris Akbari tells 12News to expect the new additions to the three affordable housing complexes by late 2025, or early 2026.
Two of the complexes are dedicated housing for seniors.