HUD AWARDS $700,000 TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS IN RICHMOND

RICHMOND, VA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Joseph J. DeFelice today announced the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) has been awarded $717,750 in funding for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency - Service Coordinators program. RRHA President and Chief Executive Officer Damon E. Duncan accepted the "big check" that will provide new funding to help RRHA hire or retain service coordinators who will help connect public housing residents with employment training, financial literacy services, educational opportunities, and health and wellness programs.

HUD's General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Dominique Blom traveled from HUD Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to Richmond to participate in the announcement.

The grant, awarded through HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency - Service Coordinators program (ROSS-SC), will support local, innovative strategies that link housing assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase their earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. Through needs assessments, case management, and referrals to community and web-based services, Service Coordinators help each participant advance towards these goals in ways that best fit their needs, personal priorities and interests.

"As I travel throughout the region to visit HUD-assisted communities, I am especially interested in hearing how efforts, like the Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Program, are helping individuals and their families progress financially," said DeFelice. "As they achieve economic independence and move on, affordable housing becomes available to those who need it most.

Today, we met two of RRHA's self-sufficiency program graduates. We heard inspiring personal success stories from Charletta Byrance and Tracy Wallace—both credited their Service Coordinators with providing a welcomed hand-up in each one's quest to become economically self-sufficient," DeFelice added.

"We appreciate this important acknowledgement of our efforts that will enable Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to further our goal of improving the lives of our families," said RRHA CEO Damon Duncan.

More than $10 million of the funding, over $1.1 million including RRHA's in Virginia, is being awarded to grantees located in Opportunity Zones. Created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones aim to stimulate long-term investments in low-income communities.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. The Department's Mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The regional office is in Philadelphia. Follow Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice on Twitter.

More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and www.espanol.hud.gov. Connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts via HUD's email list. Follow Secretary Carson on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For information about Opportunity Zones visit: https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/