HUD AWARDS NEW JERSEY $2.6 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP FAMILIES GET JOB-TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
Public Housing Agencies across the State to Benefit

NEWARK - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi announced today that New Jersey was awarded $2,613,546 to help public housing agencies assist their residents get job training, employment and homeownership counseling. The monies are part of over $47 million awarded around the nation to help public housing residents gain greater self-sufficiency. (A list of New Jersey grantees is attached.)

"This funding will give more low-income adults the opportunity to get job-training that will lead to meaningful employment," said Bernardi. "Studies have shown that this funding has been effective and successful at moving
low-income families up the economic ladder."

The funding is from the HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (HCV/FSS) program that provides
grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) to hire FSS program coordinators. FSS coordinators link adults in the HCV program (Section 8) to local organizations that provide job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and job placement. PHAs can also hire homeownership coordinators to help families get homeownership counseling.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that stipulates 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.

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 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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