HUD Announces $44 Million To Increase Self-Sufficiency
Among Public Housing Residents And Aid Elderly, Disabled
Housing Authorities in Decatur, East St. Louis, Mount Vernon (Jefferson County) and Pana (Christian County) Receive $900,000
On
December 17, 2003, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
awarded $44,368,243 million in grants that will be used to help
public housing residents become economically self-sufficient and
give elderly and people with disabilities supportive services to
allow them to live independently.
"These
grants provide assistance across-the-board to families, the elderly
and persons with disabilities," said HUD Acting Secretary Alphonso
Jackson "Grant recipients now have the resources to provide public
housing residents services that will lead to self-sufficiency and
allow the elderly and those with disabilities continue their independent
lifestyles.
"
The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program grants
are awarded to public housing authorities (PHAs), resident organizations
or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents. These
grants link public housing residents to services that lead to employment
and leadership within their community that may lead to self-sufficiency.
ROSS grants also provide support services to elderly and persons
with disabilities who live in public housing.
ROSS funding is distributed under the following categories:
Resident
Service Delivery Models for Families, Elderly and Disabled - $22,993,513
For families, this funding promotes self-sufficiency by providing
job and business development training; developing methods to link
residents to jobs with specific employers in specified fields; creating
credit unions; and providing support services such as child care,
transportation, and family counseling.
Decatur
Decatur
Housing Authority $250,000
For
the elderly and persons with disabilities, this funding provides
personal assistance with daily activities; transportation to medical
appointments, shopping, etc.; and establishes health and wellness
programs in the community.
Mount
Vernon Housing
Authority of Jefferson County $100,000
Pana Housing
Authority of Christian County $200,000
Neighborhood
Networks - $9,639,589
Funding allows PHAs to establish and/or operate Neighborhood Network
Centers that use computer technology and telecommunications or to
update and expand existing computer centers. These centers help
public housing residents increase the use of computer technology;
reduce welfare dependency; promote economic self-sufficiency; provide
opportunities for job training and development; expand educational
opportunities for residents; and develop access to health and nutrition
information.
Homeownership
Supportive Services - $11,735,141
Funding allows PHAs to offer home-buying counseling and other
supportive services to achieve homeownership for public housing
residents.
East
St. Louis The Housing Authority of the City of East St. Louis $350,000
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.