HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE TO EXPAND A COMMUNITY CENTER

CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded a $1,237,900 grant to the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority today that will be used to rehabilitate and expand a new community center that will feature information technology training for residents and the central city Milwaukee. Partnering with the housing authority is the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, the Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Milwaukee Public Schools.

"This funding fills the gap for public housing agencies that want to provide educational and employment services but lacked the resources," said HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator, Antonio R. Riley. "This is an investment to make certain we connect affordable housing with quality education and employment resources."

The funding will be used to build the Milwaukee i-Center that will offer introductory and advanced level computer courses to help users increase their understanding of the information technology used in the workplace. The new center will link users with potential employers and provide a wide variety of computer and software training.

HUD's Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities (CFCF) Program provides funding to public housing authorities for the construction, rehabilitation, or purchase of facilities that will offer early childhood education, adult education and/or job training programs. It is designed primarily for public housing residents, but can be utilized by residents in the surrounding community. The purpose of the facilities is to offer comprehensive, integrated education and employment services to help public housing residents achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.

HUD requires successful applicants to illustrate their ability to get firm financial commitments to leverage the HUD grant by at least 5 percent. These applicants were also required to identify at least one education and/or training supportive service provider, such as a community college, that would partner with the housing authority to provide the education and employment services at the facility. All of the grantees surpassed this requirement by forming partnerships with many local organizations in the community.

###

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 at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.