HUD Archives: News Releases
HUD
No. 02-120
Brian Sullivan
(202) 708-0685, x 7527
|
For
Release
Monday,
October 21, 2002 |
HUD ANNOUNCES NEARLY $60 MILLION TO TRAIN AT-RISK YOUTH; GRANTS
WILL EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Thousands of high school dropouts will get a new start in life
WASHINGTON - Thousands of high school dropouts in 35 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will have a chance at a
new start in the construction trades because of nearly $60 million in grants
announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.
The grants are part of HUD's Youthbuild Program to provide job training,
leadership skills and academic schooling to an estimated 3,700 low-income at-risk
young people (see attached list).
"These grants provide young people a golden opportunity to break into
the workforce," said Martinez. "Not only do they get the training
and education necessary to launch them on a new path in life, but those communities
where they work get the benefit of affordable homes."
Youthbuild participants experience difficulty finding good jobs because
they lack high school diplomas and necessary employment skills. The grants announced
today will help these young men and women to receive high school equivalency
diplomas and provide training in homebuilding skills that will qualify them
for careers in the building industry.
HUD's Youthbuild Program provides young people between the ages of
16 and 24 with on-the-job training to acquire construction skills by building
and renovating single-family homes and multi-family apartments. The homes are
then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low-income persons as well as
homeless individuals and families.
In addition, these grants are anticipated to generate more than $51 million
from other public and private sources. President Bush is requesting $65 million
in Youthbuild funding in the fiscal year 2003 budget. Youthbuild grants totaling
$365 million have been awarded since 1993.
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.
View
a list of the Youthbuild awards announced today.
Read full descriptions
of the individual Youthbuild awards announced today.
###
Content Archived: April 9, 2010