HUD Recognizes the City of Carrollton and Carrollton Housing Authority, Georgia for their Exemplary Family Unification Program Efforts
Local family obtains housing and are reunited

HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett, during a virtual online event, recently recognized the City of Carrollton Mayor Betty Cason, Carrollton Housing Authority Commissioner Rose Holley and Carrollton Housing Authority Executive Director Charles Griffin for their leadership and commitment in helping a local family reunite thanks to their efforts in implementing HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP).

HUD Georgia, Director of Operations Shea Johnson recognized the ongoing accomplishments relative to the Family Unification Program on the part the City of Carrollton and the Carrollton Housing Authority and was responsible along with her staff for organizing and conducting this significant and well deserved recognition program.

"Mayor Betty Cason, Commissioner Rose Holley and Carrollton Housing Director Charles Griffin and staff are to be commended for making a difference in the lives of those we mutually serve," said Cleveland-Leggett. "HUD's Family Unification Program is truly a difference maker as the Pope family now have a place they can call home and are reunited once again as a family."

Mayor Cason related that she was thankful for the efforts of the housing authority and for HUD's Family Unification Program and how it is helping families reunite.

Tiffany Pope, a FUP recipient along with her son and grandmother expressed their sincere and heartfelt appreciation for all the help they received obtaining housing and reuniting their family again.

The Family Unification Program provides housing assistance for families who are unable to secure affordable housing for their children or dependents, and former foster youth at risk of homelessness.

Housing authorities work closely with local public welfare agencies to identify former foster youth at risk of facing homelessness and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children are in foster care.

According to the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW), an affordable housing and child welfare advocacy group, keeping children in foster care is an expensive alternative to affordable housing. On average, it costs more than $48,000 annually per family when children enter foster care.

By contrast, housing and services to keep a family together costs approximately $15,000 annually per family. Supportive services for FUP families and youth are provided by agencies funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In April 2020 HUD announced over $24 million dollars to assist families reunify nationwide with nearly $150,000 allocated to the Carrollton Housing Authority to provide housing vouchers and assistance to eligible families. A $20 million investment in FUP vouchers saves more than $134 million in foster care costs.

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