HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $750,000 TO 10 NORTHWEST HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO HELP RESIDENTS GET JOBS & BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT

SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded a total of $764,664 to ten public housing authorities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state to help public residents. The funding will also link the elderly and people with disabilities with supportive services that allow them to maintain independent living and age-in-place.

The funds were competitively awarded under the Resident Opportunities & Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grant program to retain or hire coordinators to promote job readiness and gainful employment among residents of housing authorities in Anchorage, Nampa, Portland, Eugene, Salem, Tacoma, Vancouver, Yakima, Seattle and King County. Altogether, today HUD announced $16.3 million in awards to 362 housing authorities and tribes nationwide.

"This is a modest investment that can make a world of difference for families looking to find their path to self-sufficiency," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "As America's economy continues to recover, it's critical that we work to make sure every American has the skills and resources they need to successfully compete for jobs in the 21st Century."

"Success in life depends in large measure on the choices we make," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Bill Block. "These grants expand the choices residents of public housing have, increasing their opportunities to achieve the success that comes with self-sufficiency."

Today's awardees include:

On December 31st, HUD announced the competitive $3,783,052 in Family Self Sufficiency-Housing Choice Voucher grants to 34 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state housing authorities to enable them to employ or hire service coordinators to assist families receiving HUD Housing Choice Voucher rent subsidies to find employment.

HUD's ROSS program helps public housing authorities (PHAs), resident associations or non-profit organizations by providing three-year grants that enable them hire or retain "service coordinators" who work directly with residents to assess their needs and 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 an elderly or disabled resident, the service coordinator arranges supportive services that allow them to maintain their independence.

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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 http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDgov, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.