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NEW YORK, NY August 16, 2007 —Public housing advocates are rejoicing now that Governor Spitzer has signed a bill to give more money to the cash strapped public housing authority. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports:

Housing groups and elected officials have been calling for the state to ante up more cash for the public housing authority ever since it announced it would have to cut jobs and postpone major renovation projects because of a quarter billion dollar deficit.

In a press release the governor said the new law creates parity between public and private housing providers. Right now the state reimburses private landlords more for housing low income new yorkers. That will change next year. The legislation is supposed generate more than $100 million for public housing over three years.

The new money will not stop 500 planned layoffs beginning October 1st. Even with the infusion of cash, the budget shortfall will exceed $150 million over the next two years. for wnyc, I'm Cindy Rodriguez