HUD'S YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM DELIVERS MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING IN NEW JERSEY
Programs in Newark and Camden receive grants

NEWARK, NJ - More than 150 New Jersey young people who never finished high school will get a second chance to receive their diplomas because of more than $2 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban
Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. The grants are part of $54 million HUD is awarding through its Youthbuild Program to offer job training and leadership skills to young people while putting them back on a path toward graduation. (A listing of New Jersey grantees is below.)

These grants will help train them for a future in the construction trades while producing or rehabilitating 175 homes and apartments for lower income families, many facing homelessness.

"This funding will offer hope and opportunity to young men and women across the country," said Jackson.
"Youthbuild enables them to return to the classroom, acquire construction skills and put their minds and hands to
work producing more affordable housing in their own communities."

Young people who enroll in local Youthbuild programs (see list below) lack high school diplomas and the job skills necessary to find meaningful employment. The funding announced today will help young men and women, ages
16-to-24, to receive their high school equivalency diplomas and provide them training in homebuilding skills that will qualify them for careers in the building industry.

Program participants will receive on-the-job training in the building trades and help build and renovate homes that
are then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low-income persons as well as to homeless individuals and
families. In addition, these grants are anticipated to generate millions of additional dollars from other public and private sources.

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, and people with disabilities. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as 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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New Jersey Youthbuild Grants

Essex County College will receive a Youthbuild grant in the amount of $697,735. The grant will enable the College
to train 84 youth and construct 21 two-family units and rehabilitate 150 Houses. Major partners include: The Vogue Housing America L.L.C., Essex County Vocation al Technical Schools; New Jersey Social Justice; and CHOICES Inc.

Contact Person: Dr. Zachary Yamba
Grantee Address: 303 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone Number: (973) 877-3022

Housing Authority of the City of Camden will receive a Youthbuild grant in the amount of $700,000. The grant
will enable the Housing Authority to train 65 youth and rehabilitate two homes. Major partners include: Carpenter's Local Union 1578; Metropolitan Camden Habitat for Humanity; Michael's Development Corporation; Commerce Bank; and Pennrose Propeties.

Contact Person: Dr. Maria Marquez
Grantee Address: 1300 Admiral Wilson Blvd., Camden, NJ 08102
Phone Number: (856) 968-2700

Episcopal Community Development will receive a Youthbuild grant in the amount of $699,996. The grant will enable Episcopal Community Development to train five youth and construct two houses. Major partners include: Covenant House; Newark Do Something; YMCA of Newark; and the Juvenile Justice Commission.

Contact Person: Ms. Carla L. Lerman
Grantee Address: 31 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone Number: (973) 430-9986