HUD AWARDS $1,268,445 TO AID ARIZONA SENIORS, FAMILIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $1,268,445 to assist Arizona senior citizens, disabled individuals and families living in public housing.

"This funding helps a wide range of people who live in public housing," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "It
gives families the resources they need to get the education or training they need to find jobs. It also helps our
most vulnerable - seniors and the disabled - with supportive services that allow them live on their own."

The grants awarded to assist seniors and the disabled: Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest ($375,000), Moenkopi Senior Center Inc. ($193,446). The grants awarded to assist families: City of Phoenix Housing Authority ($350,000) and White Mountain Apache Housing Authority ($349,999).

The funding is provided through HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program. ROSS grants are awarded to public housing authorities (PHAs), resident organizations or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents to encourage self-sufficiency among public housing residents.

ROSS Family and Homeownership grants link residents with supportive services, including education, job and
computer training and homeownership counseling that put families on the track to self-sufficiency. ROSS Elderly and Persons with Disabilities link senior and disabled residents with resources that permit them to live independently longer, such as health and wellness programs, meal services and transportation to medical services.

PHAs can use the funding to hire project coordinators who assess resident needs then link them with appropriate services. They also use it to provide families a full array of educational programs, and job readiness as they move along the spectrum of self-sufficiency. So that residents can take advantage of the education and employment services, this funding also matches residents to supportive services such as childcare and transportation. In
addition, ROSS funding can support after-school and summer programs for youth living in public housing. In this
way, the program has the potential to serve the whole family.

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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 and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.