HUD AWARDS $14 MILLION TO HELP LOW-INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS SECURE HIGHER PAYING JOBS
Monroe receives Jobs Plus grants to help families achieve financial self-sufficiency

NEW ORLEANS - To help low-income public housing residents increase their income and move toward self-sufficiency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $14 million to seven Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). The Monroe Housing Authority (MHA) was one of only 7 awardees nationwide and received $2,299,918. HUD's Jobs Plus Initiative connects public housing residents with employment, education and financial empowerment services—a proven model to help public housing residents find and keep better paying jobs. Read more about how these local housing agencies will put these funds to work.

"Today, we make another important investment to help public housing residents increase their income and move along their path to self-sufficiency," said Secretary Ben Carson. "When you combine housing assistance with services available through HUD's Jobs Plus initiative, you create positive conditions in which families can become financially independent and realize their dreams."

"This is a powerful partnership that will help a number of residents become more fiscally fit, workforce ready, and better positioned to improve their quality of life," said Mayor Jamie Mayo. "We are thankful that HUD chose our outstanding Monroe Housing Authority as a recipient of this multi-million dollar grant. We are Monroe Proud of the number of local partners who will help make this Jobs Plus Program a huge community success."

Said Frank L. Wilcox, Executive Director of MHA, "Monroe Housing Authority is honored to participate in the Jobs Plus Program. We are confident that together with our partnering agencies, Workforce Development Board, NOVA Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana and Louisiana Delta Community College, we will be able to help our families obtain sustainable living wage jobs and make working families the norm for generations to come."

HUD's Jobs Plus Initiative combines traditional employment, training and job placement services with a rent incentive and a place-based investment in building "community support for work." The program addresses poverty among public housing residents and creates a culture of work and make working families the norm.

Jobs Plus services are tailored to residents' individual needs and are drawn from a menu of on-site and referral services. For unemployed residents, case managers will help identify short and long-term employment goals and create plans to accomplish them. Employed individuals can work with case managers to take the necessary steps to advance in the labor market.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

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