HUD AWARDS $808,750 TO PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES IN PENNSYLVANIA TO PROMOTE JOBS, SELF-SUFFICIENCY

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $808,750 in grants to public housing and non-profit agencies in Pennsylvania that will help public housing residents find employment that lead
them toward economic independence. This funding will also link the elderly with supportive services that will allow them to age-in-place. HUD awarded nearly $28 million nationally to agencies across the U.S.

"This is money well spent in these economic times," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.
"This funding allows HUD, and our partner local housing agencies, to provide families with more than just affordable housing, but resources that will help them obtain jobs and achieve personal and career goals."

The funding is provided through HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) - Service Coordinators program, which enables public housing agencies (PHAs) to keep or hire a service coordinator to work directly with residents to assess their needs to connect them with education , job training and placement programs and/or computer and financial literacy services available in their community to promote self-sufficiency. For the elderly or disabled, the service coordinator arranges supportive services that allow them to maintain their independent lifestyle.

The purpose of the ROSS Program is to encourage local innovative strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

The grants are awarded to PHAs, resident organizations or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents to encourage and promote self-sufficiency among residents.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; 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 and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.