HUD Archives: News Releases


HUD Region VI: No. 11-27
Patricia Campbell
(817) 978-5974/(817) 681-9741
For Release
Thursday
March 24, 2011

HUD AWARDS $270,000 TO FIVE LOUISIANA PUBLIC HOUSING
AUTHORITIES TO HELP SECTION 8 FAMILIES BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that five public housing agencies in Louisiana will receive a total of $270,357 to link low-income families with the necessary education and job training to put them on the path to self-sufficiency. Nationally, 600 agencies received nearly $54 million in grants.

Funded through HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV/FSS), the grants to Louisiana provide funds for five public housing authorities (PHAs) to fund salaries for six coordinators (or caseworkers) to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop programs to help individuals participating in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) increase their education or gain marketable skills that will enable them to obtain jobs.

"This program is absolutely critical in today's economy," said Donovan. "The research demonstrates that the FSS program works. When families are given the tools they need to move beyond the voucher program, they do. Ultimately, they become self-sufficient and more vouchers become available for other families. For America to win
the future we need a trained and skilled workforce."

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a long-standing resource for increasing economic security and self-sufficiency among HCV participants. A new report just issued by HUD, which evaluated the effectiveness of the FSS Program from 2005 to 2009, shows the financial benefits are substantial for participants who remain and complete
the program.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that requires the head of the household to 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 which they can use for any purpose, including paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying back debts.

The Louisiana grantees, number of coordinator positions funded, and grant amounts follow:

LOUISIANA
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Housing Department 1 $46,020
Housing Authority of the City of Monroe 1 $26,684
Housing Authority of the Parish of Natchitoches 1 $45,955
Jefferson Parish Housing Authority 2 $108,220
Terrebonne, Parish of 1 $43,478
LA Subtotal: 6 $270,357

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

 

Content Archived: June 24, 2013