Brookhaven is one of 48 communities across the state benefiting from $19 million in federal grants for major large-scale improvements to public housing units in Mississippi, according to an announcement Thursday afternoon by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

The Brookhaven Housing Authority is receiving $400,185, which will go toward the construction of the Southview Housing Development on Turner Street across from Alexander Junior High School.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held July 26 for the first phase of the development, which will eventually have 38 units available.

Construction of Southview will continue in there phases, each with its own cul-de-sac. All units will be either one or two bedrooms, and some will be designed specifically for wheelchair access.

The HUD grants announced Thursday are provided through the agency’s Capital Fund Program, which provides funding annually to all public housing authorities to build, repair, renovate and/or modernize the public housing in their communities.

The authorities use the funding to do large-scale improvements to the housing such as new roofs or to make energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems.

“This funding is critical for housing authorities to maintain and improve public housing conditions for their residents,” Donovan said in the press release.

“However, with a significant repair backlog, I am encouraged by new, innovative long-term solutions HUD is exploring that can be combined with this funding to not only protect and preserve this housing for the next generation, but to also build the quality infrastructure necessary for families to thrive,” he continued.

“Housing authorities in Mississippi count on this funding to maintain and improve their public housing for many families, especially the most vulnerable – our seniors,” said Ed Jennings Jr., HUD Southeast regional administrator. “HUD is currently taking bold steps to preserve this affordable housing.”

Capital Fund grants are awarded each year to the nation’s approximately 3,100 public housing agencies through a formula that considers number, type and age of units in a community.

Eligible uses for this funding include development, financing and modernization of the public housing units as well as management improvements at the public housing authority.