HUD ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO NEW JERSEY TO BRING JOBS, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE TO PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS
$60 Million Awarded Nationwide to Make Families Self-Sufficient

NEWARK - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development just awarded municipalities, public housing authorities and organizations across New Jersey $2,497,335 in grants to help low-income individuals get job training and employment placement. The grants are part of nearly $60 million awarded around the nation to help public
housing residents gain self-sufficiency. (A listing of New Jersey grantees is attached.)

"Thousands of people will get the assistance they need to help them find jobs that will get them on their road to financial independence," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson who announced the funding. "Some families have become homeowners or debt-free as a result of this program, thanks to their commitment and determination to thrive."

The funding is provided through HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, which encourages communities to develop local strategies to help families who live in public housing or participate in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. PHAs work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment.

The funding is distributed to PHAs, which allows them to hire or retain FSS coordinators on staff to assist adult residents to find employment. The coordinators link participants to resources in the community that can help with their job search, such as job training opportunities, employment placement programs or local employers. The coordinators also help individuals locate childcare, counseling services, and transportation, which are often times impediments to employment.

Participants, some of whom are on welfare, sign a contract that stipulates the head of the household will find
suitable employment and the family will be off of welfare assistance within five years. Because public housing and voucher rents are tied to income, when income rises, rent rises. With the FSS program, the rent increase is paid to the PHA, but goes into an interest-bearing escrow account. If the participant successfully graduates from the program, he or she can use the escrow account for a variety of goals, including down payment on a home, starting
a business, paying back debts or paying educational expenses.

FY 2007 Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program Awards
New Jersey