Secretary Martinez has announced $45,972,854 for job training and placement for low-income citizens - and help them become self sufficient.

"This funding will help thousands of citizens find employment and eventually become economically independent," said Martinez. "The Bush Administration is committed to revitalizing communities through job advocacy, training programs and economic development, and these grants will help these states and territories strengthen neighborhoods."

The grants were awarded to 687 housing authorities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that will be used.

HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program provides funds to public housing agencies specifically for the employment of family self-sufficiency coordinators. The FSS coordinators assist adults in job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and job placement programs.

Participants in the job preparedness program, some of whom are on welfare, sign a contract that stipulates the head of the household will get a job and the family will become self-sufficient within five years. While enrolled in the program, as a family's income rises, a third of that income goes to an interest-bearing escrow account.

Read the full news announcement