HUD No. 10-04-02 Rhonda Siciliano (617) 994-8355 |
For Release Friday April 2, 2010 |
HUD AWARDS $2,099,246 IN GRANTS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN MASSACHUSETTS RECEIVE JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT
Housing authorities across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico receiving nearly $50 million
BOSTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan recently announced that public housing authorities in the state of Massachusetts will receive $2,099,246 to provide low-income people with the necessary
job training to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency. (See below for a complete list of MA funding)
Public housing agencies across the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico will receive nearly $49.3 million.
Funded through 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."
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.
MASSACHUSETTS | Grant Amount |
Acton Housing Authority | $59,337 |
Arlington Housing Authority | $66,660 |
Attleboro Housing Authority | $66,944 |
Boston Housing Authority | $193,792 |
Braintree Housing Authority | $53,163 |
Brockton Housing Authority | $68,000 |
Chelmsford Housing Authority | $62,729 |
Chelsea Housing Authority | $64,909 |
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | $169,005 |
Framingham Housing Authority | $66,307 |
Gardner Housing Authority | $50,260 |
Gloucester Housing Authority | $42,528 |
Greenfield Housing Authority | $109,814 |
Holyoke Housing Authority | $48,680 |
Leominster Housing Authority | $47,772 |
Lowell Housing Authority | $64,909 |
Lynn Housing Authority Neighborhood Development | $60,039 |
Malden Housing Authority | $34,000 |
Medford Housing Authority | $66,660 |
Melrose Housing Authority | $38,633 |
Methuen Housing Authority | $55,117 |
Milton Housing Authority | $66,660 |
North Andover Housing Authority | $57,284 |
Plymouth Housing Authority | $45,904 |
Quincy Housing Authority | $72,215 |
Revere Housing Authority | $66,600 |
Somerville Housing Authority | $44,374 |
Taunton Housing Authority | $60,642 |
Wayland Housing Authority | $10,000 |
Woburn Housing Authority | $56,309 |
Worcester Housing Authority | $130,000 |
Total | $2,099,246 |