HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $777,000 TO VIRGINIA PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO PROMOTE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded today $777,803 in grants to help public housing residents in Virginia gain access to education, job training and employment. HUD's Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program (PH-FSS) enables public housing authorities across the country to hire or retain more than 300 program coordinators to connect families with supportive services that will assist them in becoming gainfully employed.

Nationally, nearly $16.3 million in grants have been awarded today. HUD recently awarded an additional $1,137,991 to public housing authorities in Virginia through its Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV-FSS).

"Job training and employment opportunities are important steps in helping individuals become economically independent," said Jane C.W. Vincent, Regional Administrator of HUD's Mid-Atlantic region.

The program coordinators retained or hired through HUD's Family Self Sufficiency programs work directly with residents to connect them with local organizations that provide education and job training and placement opportunities; as well as childcare, counseling, transportation and computer and financial literacy services available in their community. These programs encourages innovative strategies that link public housing and voucher assistance with other resources to enable participating families to find employment; increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

Participants sign a five-year contract that requires the head of the household to obtain employment and 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 successfully completes its FSS contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying 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. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.