SOUTH DAKOTA RECEIVES HUD GRANTS TO INCREASE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIAN HOUSING RESIDENTS

DENVER - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $500,000 today in South Dakota that
will be used to help public housing residents on Pine Ridge become homeowners.

"The grant provides assistance to families, the elderly and persons with disabilities," said HUD Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson "Grant recipients now have the resources to provide public housing residents services that will
lead to self-sufficiency and allow the elderly and those with disabilities to continue their independent lifestyles." The grants are termed Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) and include three categories elderly/disabled
and family services, homeownership supportive services and neighborhood networks.

HUD's Denver Regional Director John Carson said the ROSS grants were awarded to two of HUD's South Dakota partners:

Carson explained the grants are awarded to public housing authorities (PHAs), resident organizations, or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents. These grants link public housing residents to services that lead to employment and leadership within their community that may lead to self-sufficiency. Both grants were awarded for Homeownership Supportive Services, which allow PHAs to offer home buying counseling and other supportive services to achieve homeownership for public housing residents.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, 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.