HUD AWARDS $481,284 TO PROVIDE JOB TRAINING EMPLOYMENT TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES RESIDING IN FOUR IDAHO HOUSING AUTHORITIES

BOISE - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today the competitive award
of $481,284 to four public housing agencies across Idaho to provide low-income residents with the necessary job training to help them become economically self-sufficient.

Today's grants in Idaho were part of $49.3 million in awards under HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV/FSS). The grants allow public housing agencies (PHAs) to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program to help participating individuals develop the skills and experience to enable them to obtain jobs that pay a living wage.

"In today's economy, this program is needed more than ever to help families obtain the skills that lead to jobs," said Donovan. "On the heels of President Obama signing the jobs bill that will boost job creation, I'm pleased HUD is providing this funding to local housing authorities that will keep caseworkers on the job to assist families in HUD's voucher program find employment."

Winning HCV/FSS grants today were the following four Idaho housing authorities:

Local housing authorities use the funding to hire family self-sufficiency coordinators to link adults in the Housing Choice Voucher program to local organizations that provide job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and
job placement. These housing authorities can also hire coordinators to help families get homeownership counseling.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that requires the head of the household will get a job and the family will no longer receive welfare assistance at the end of the five-year term. As the family's income rises, a portion of that increased income is deposited in an interest-bearing escrow account. If the family completes its
FSS contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including a down payment on
a home, paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying back debts.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; 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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.