HUD ANNOUNCES $800,000 TO TWO ARIZONA PROGRAMS - DOZENS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET A NEW START IN LIFE
Two grants to Arizona youth programs will create affordable housing

WASHINGTON - Approximately 55 low-income young people in Arizona will return to school and begin new careers in the homebuilding trades because of $800,000 in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. The grants to Arizona programs will help these young people graduate high school,
train them for a future in the construction trades and will produce affordable homes for lower income families, many facing homelessness.

The PPEP Somerton-San Luis of Tucson and the City of Guadalupe will each receive $400,000 grants from HUD.
The grants are part of more than $58 million in funding awarded nationwide through HUD's Youthbuild Program.

"I'm thrilled that HUD can play such an important role in helping these young people to earn their high school
diplomas while introducing them to high-demand skills that will ensure their economic futures," said Jackson. "This
is a win-win program since these young people will be putting hammer-to-nail to produce more affordable housing
in their own communities."

Young people who enroll in local Youthbuild programs lack high school diplomas and the job skills necessary to find meaningful employment. The funding announced today will help young men and women, ages 16-to-24, to receive their high school equivalency diplomas and provide them training in homebuilding skills that will qualify them for
careers in the building industry.

Program participants will receive on-the-job training in the building trades and help build and renovate homes that
are then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low-income persons as well as to homeless individuals and
families. In addition, these grants are anticipated to generate millions of additional dollars from other public and private sources.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

NOTE: The following Arizona communities are awarded funding through HUD's Youthbuild Program:

PPEP Youthbuild Somerton-San Luis of Tucson will receive a Youthbuild grant in the amount of 400,000. The grant will enable PPEP to train 30 youth between the ages of 16-24 and to construct 100 new houses. Major partners include: HEP program, PPEP TEC Charter High School, Arizona Western College, and Housing Development
Corporation in Yuma County.

Address: 802 E. 46th Street
Tucson, AZ 85713
Contact Name: John Arnold
Contact Telephone: (520) 622-3553

The Town of Guadalupe will receive a Youthbuild grant in the amount of $400,000. The grant will enable The Town
of Guadalupe to train 22 youth and to construct 23 new self-help/Energy Star-rated houses. Major partners include: South Mountain, Gateway, and Rio Salado Community College.

Address: 9241 S. Avenida Del Yaqui
Guadalupe, AZ 85283
Contact Name: Gary Smith
Contact Telephone: (480) 505-5366

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