HUD ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO GIVE AT-RISK YOUTH A SECOND CHANCE
YouthBuild program provides education and employment opportunities while producing affordable housing

LEWISTON, MAINE - Young people who lack basic education face a lifetime of underemployment and can be at
higher risk of homelessness. Today, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., a non-profit community development agency, got
a boost with the announcement of a grant that will bring skills, diplomas and new affordable housing to Maine.

The $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used to continue the successful YouthBuild program. The grant, which was announced by HUD Field Office Director William Burney, is part
of $45.5 million in funding nationwide to help thousands of low-income young people who never finished high school return to school to earn their diplomas, while training them for a future in the construction trades and other careers. YouthBuild grants provide funding to offer job training and leadership skills to more than 3,000 young adults in a nationwide network of more than 200 programs that challenge unemployed and undereducated residents ages 16-24 to work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning construction skills by building or renovating affordable housing for low-income and homeless individuals.

"The YouthBuild program serves a population that needs a bridge between youth and adulthood," said Burney.
"Coastal Enterprises has an excellent track record using this funding to help area teenagers earn their diplomas and start them on a new career path. At the same time we are producing affordable homes for low-income families,
which creates another advantage for the community."

Coastal Enterprises has received a total of $1.6 million in HUD funding for its YouthBuild program since 2001. During this time, 58 people, who previously lacked basic education skills, have successfully gone through the program while assisting with 27 low-income housing projects.

With this funding, Coastal Enterprises will partner with the City of Lewiston, Central Maine Technical College, and
Jobs for Maine's Graduates, to provide education and life skills training to 20 teenagers while constructing five new houses.

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, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.

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