On Friday, February 9, 2007, HUD Region IV Director, Bob Young visited the Mobile Housing Board to make check presentations totaling $401,119 for supportive services that help elderly and disabled public housing residents and for jobs and economic independence for public housing residents.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones joins members of Mobile Housing Board's Senior Resident Council in accepting Supportive Services ceremonial grant check from HUD Regional Director Bob Young.

"Thousands of elderly and disabled public housing residents rely on these grants to assist them in maintaining an independent lifestyle," said HUD Regional Director Young. "In some cases, these grants are the bridge to help our seniors and those with disabilities to live a life that allows them to fully participate in their communities and enjoy a wide range of opportunities." Mobile Mayor Sam Jones expressed the City's appreciation for the grants presented on this occasion as well as the ongoing support provided by HUD.

The Supportive Services Grant in the amount of $350,000 will enable the Mobile Housing Board to hire project coordinators to work with elderly residents and those with disabilities to link them to supportive services available in their communities, such as transportation, health

Brenda Sewell, Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency Program participant who used the program to qualify for homeownership, joins Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Cassandra Terry, Community Supportive Services Systems Administrator for Mobile Housing Board in accepting ceremonial grant check for Family Self Sufficiency Program.

HUD Regional Director Bob Young accepts tokens of appreciation from senior residents of Mobile Public Housing communities, including Rosie McKeel, President, Central Plaza Towers Resident Association; Reverend A.T. Davis; and Ann Crawford, President, Emerson Gardens Resident's Association.

and wellness programs, and nutritious meals services, allowing these individuals and families to live independently longer.

The Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency grant in the amount of $51,119 will allow Mobile Housing Board to retain a program coordinator to work directly with residents to guide them to education and training opportunities, job placement organizations and local employers. Young said of this grant funding, "The grant given today will allow the Mobile Housing Board to assist families by leading them to employment that can teach them to become more self sufficient and even towards homeownership."

While the event began as a press conference it quickly became a kind of town hall meeting as senior residents in attendance both asked questions of HUD Regional Director Bob Young, and expressed their appreciation to him, for all that HUD does to help them.