HUD AWARDS $600,000 TO EXPAND JOBS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS
$50,000 Section 3 funding will stimulate employment and economic development in Jolliet, Ill.

CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $600,000 to increase hiring of low-income individuals and public housing residents. HUD is awarding twelve housing authorities, cities, and states $50,000 each to hire full-time Section 3 Program Coordinators for one year. One of the twelve recipients is the Housing Authority of Joliet in Illinois. These grants will maximize a HUD program that ensures HUD dollars are used to hire low-income individuals and to contract with businesses that hire them.

Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 promotes new employment, training, and contracting opportunities on federal HUD-funded projects. "The funding announced today advances HUD's commitment to investing in people as well as buildings in areas of the country that need it greatly," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Having a Section 3 Program Coordinator has been shown to be a best practice, maximizing a grantee's ability to promote jobs, contracts, and training opportunities."

"This program ensures the absolute best use of American tax dollars, so that not only will we fund affordable housing options but also make sure that low-income workers in Joliet will earn a fair wage to support their families and be contributing members of their communities," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

Eighty-five housing authorities and local and state governments from around the country applied for this competitive national grant. Grants were awarded to housing authorities and jurisdictions with high unemployment and a demonstrated commitment to partner with other local agencies and sustain the position after one year.

HUD's grant funding will go to the following:

For additional information about HUD's Section3 program, go to: www.hud.gov/section3.

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