The Vicksburg Housing Authority received a drug prevention grant along with an increase in capital funds that will allow major improvements in the city’s public housing, director Jim Stirgus said.

The drug prevention grant, worth $98,566, will allow new security lights and fences to be installed, Stirgus said. Drug prevention and treatment programs are also in the works using the federal funds.

The capital fund grant of about $800,000 is an increase of $10,000 from last year’s allocation, he said. Old stoves, refrigerators and water heaters will be replaced with the funds, along with kitchen cabinets at Waltersville Estates.

A retaining wall at Beechwood Estates must also be built to support four houses, Stirgus said.

Any leftover funds will be used for landscaping and beautification.

The six subdivisions consisting of 430 homes and apartments that make up the Vicksburg Housing Authority have been rated among the best in the nation by federal housing officials.

In January, after a yearlong review process, VHA was commended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a “successful performer.”

The designation means the housing developments scored above a 90 out of 100 possible points in a physical inspection and a financial analysis.