“HUD Awards THA GrantThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $9.3 million in grants to help low-income elderly people and people with disabilities obtain health care, meals and other support services they require to continue living in HUD-subsidized housing in 40 states. Public housing authorities will use the Resident Opportunities Self-Sufficiency Program funds to employ service coordinators to help HUD housing residents get the services to enable them to live independently. The grants will go to 97 public housing authorities in the 40 states. Using service coordinators to act as community liaisons for seniors and the disabled is part of President Clinton’s Housing Security Plan. Goals for the plan include: – Helping seniors remain in their own homes and connecting them with family and community. – Expanding affordable housing opportunities for lower income seniors. – Improving the range and coordination of affordable housing and support service combinations available to seniors. Washington received a total of $541,587 in funding. Tacoma Housing Authority was awarded $47,925 for a one-year Service Coordinator Renewal Grant. THA will provide supportive services and activities to the elderly and disabled residents living in public housing. The coordinator will provide services at THA’s seven senior apartment complexes. Fort Nisqually Receives Restoration GrantFort Nisqually Historic Site is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation. The grant is slated to help restore Fort Nisqually’s Large House to its original 1855 appearance.The Large House was built in 1854-1855 to be the home of the Fort’s Chief Trader, Dr. William Fraser Tolmie and his family. Tolmie, a prominent individual in 19th century Puget Sound history, ran Fort Nisqually from 1843 to 1859.The house is one of two original structures within the fort and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Properties. The restoration of the house will help preserve it as well as allow the fort to expand its interpretation of the site to include more detail on the family and personal life of Tolmie, 19th century medical science, and the roles of women and children during that time.”