HUD AWARDS $2.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN NEW YORK RECEIVE JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT
Housing authorities across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico receiving nearly $50 million

NEW YORK - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan just announced that dozens of public housing agencies across New York State will receive over $2.5 million to provide low-income people with the necessary job training to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency.  The grants just announced are part of nearly $50 million awarded nationwide to public housing agencies and local communities. (A listing of New York grantees is attached.)

Funded through HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV/FSS), the grants allow public housing agencies (PHAs) to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program to help participating individuals develop the skills and experience to enable them to obtain jobs that pay a living wage.

"In today's economy, this program is needed more than ever to help families obtain the skills that lead to jobs," said Donovan. "On the heels of President Obama signing the jobs bill that will boost job creation, I'm pleased HUD is providing this funding to local housing authorities that will keep caseworkers on the job to assist families in HUD's voucher program find employment."

Local housing authorities use the funding to hire family self-sufficiency coordinators to link adults in the Housing Choice Voucher program to local organizations that provide job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and
job placement. These housing authorities can also hire coordinators to help families get homeownership counseling.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that requires the head of the household to get a job and the family to 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.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.