Dale
Gray, Public Affairs Officer 400 State Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101-2406 Phone: (913) 551-5542 |
For
Release Wednesday December 17, 2003 |
HUD ANNOUNCES $44 MILLION TO INCREASE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG PUBLIC
HOUSING RESIDENTS AND AID ELDERLY, DISABLED
Missouri communities will receive $976,508
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
awarded $44,368,243 million in grants
today that will be used to
help public housing residents become economically self-sufficient
and give elderly and people with disabilities supportive services
to allow them to live independently.
"These grants provide assistance across-the-board to families, the elderly and persons with disabilities," said HUD Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson "Grant recipients now have the resources to provide public housing residents services that will lead to self-sufficiency and allow the elderly and those with disabilities continue their independent lifestyles."
The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program grants are awarded to public housing authorities (PHAs), resident organizations or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents. These grants link public housing residents to services that lead to employment and leadership within their community that may lead to self-sufficiency. ROSS grants also provide support services to elderly and persons with disabilities who live in public housing.
ROSS funding is distributed under the following categories:
Resident Service Delivery Models for Families, Elderly and
Disabled - $22,993,513
For families this funding promotes self-sufficiency by providing
job and business development training; developing methods to link
residents to jobs with specific employers in specified fields; creating
credit unions; and providing support services such as child care,
transportation, and family counseling. For the elderly and persons
with
disabilities this funding provides personal assistance with
daily activities; transportation to medical appointments, shopping,
etc.; and establishes health and wellness programs in the community.
Missouri awards include:
- The Housing Authority of the City of Independence, Missouri - $105,003
- St. Louis Housing Authority - $350,000
Neighborhood
Networks - $9,639,589
Funding allows PHAs to establish and/or operate Neighborhood Network
Centers that use computer technology and telecommunications or to
update and expand existing computer centers. These centers help
public housing residents increase the use of computer technology;
reduce welfare dependency; promote economic self-sufficiency; provide
opportunities for job training and development; expand educational
opportunities for residents; and develop access
to health and nutrition
information. Missouri awards include:
- Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri - $100,000
Homeownership
Supportive Services - $11,735,141
Funding allows PHAs to offer home-buying counseling and other supportive
services to achieve homeownership for public housing residents.
Missouri awards include:
- Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri - $350,000
- Lafayette (Saline) County Housing Authority, Marshall, Missouri - $71,505
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