“U.s. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo this week awarded $261 million in grants to fight drug abuse and crime in public housing and privately owned housing subsidized by HUD nationwide.Grants to agencies in Washington include:The Housing Authority of the City of Tacoma, awarded $250,000 under the New Approach Anti-Drug Program partnering with the police department to provide a comprehensive neighborhood approach to eliminate drugs and other crime problems in and around targeted housing developments. The Tacoma Hilltop Safe Neighborhood project includes police foot and bicycle patrols, crime-free housing and certification, and augmented security and physical improvements.The Housing Authority is also receiving $335,188 for a drug elimination program based on three primary strategies:Preventing drug-related criminal activity through environmental design, security presence and strong management practices;Community, nonprofit, and private sector involvement to support self-sufficiency; andAn emphasis on strengthening families and individuals to resist and/or overcome drug abuse.Components of this program include private security patrols, case management to better utilize drug treatment services, parenting classes, and youth prevention and intervention programs. The THA program focuses on the Salishan housing development, with a population of 3,500; the Hillside Terrace, population 352; Bergerson Terrace, with 182 residents; and scattered units housing 157 residents.Pierce County Housing Authority received $34,091 in HUD funding to create a community liaison, develop baseline information and a simple means of tracing reports of criminal activities in conjunction with police t and property management.Activities covered under the Pierce County grant include:Assessment of drug-related issues at scattered sites;Development of a statistical database and a process to update information;Identification of public housing residents’ needs related to drug activity;Development of a plan to deliver identified services; andDevelop a resource and referral system for needed services.Statewide, Washington received Drug Elimination Grants totaling $3,676,725. HUD has given out over $1.9 billion in DEG funding since 1989, including current awards.”