The Chicago Housing Authority board today green-lighted a $1.9 million program funded by a federal grant to help young CHA residents land jobs at local agencies, businesses and the police department.

Officials say the grant will help 900 youngsters find work during the summer. The jobs will pay $8 to $9 an hour and last six to eight weeks, according to the CHA.

At its monthly meeting, the board also voted to spend more than $1 million for employment and clinical services to residents of the Horner and West Haven Park communities. Officials say the Near West Side Community Development Corp. will help people who have undiagnosed disabilities or substance-abuse problems become better tenants, more financially literate and employable.

Near West will receive $1.4 million for the work, bringing its total revenue from the CHA to more than double that amount since June 2008.

Additionally, officials authorized up to $6 million in contracts with three architecture firms to renovate CHA properties. For the work, Harley Ellis Devereaux will receive up to $2.1 million, Holabird & Root LLC up to $2 million, and Globetrotters Engineering Corp. up to $1.9 million.

The firms may work on living and nonliving facilities of the CHA for up to three years, after which officials may extend their contracts up to two years.

According to the CHA, each firm will involve minority, women and disabled businesses, which will receive more than 20 percent of the projects' total value through, for example, subcontracts. The firms will also hire residents of public housing communities, officials say.

The architecture firm pappageorgehaymes partners received a similar deal today to renovate the Ralph J. Pomeroy Apartments, about 120 units of senior housing at 1039 W. Hollywood Ave. The firm will receive $912,000.