The Vicksburg Housing Authority has been approved for the second round of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development program designed to rehabilitate public housing, VHA Executive Director Ben Washington said Wednesday.

The housing authority’s board of commissioners learned Tuesday VHA had been approved for the Rental Assistance Demonstration program.

“All we’re waiting for now is the contract from HUD, which should be received in February,” Washington said.

The Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD program, is geared to move housing from “public housing” to “Section 8” so structures can be brought up to HUD standards. VHA’s 430 units were among 60,000 homes nationwide eligible for the first round of the program in 2013, but missed the cut. Washington said VHA was in line for acceptance if Congress approved a second round for the program, adding Congress recently approved expanding the program for 180,000 homes.

Under RAD, a housing authority such as VHA will receive one lump sum for operations and capital projects based on the total estimated rent of the units. Currently, it receives two supplements, one for operation and administration, and another for capital projects and maintenance.

Housing authorities participating in the RAD program will be encouraged to use their current capital funds to borrow money to renovate and improve their properties to bring them up to HUD standards.