HUD AWARDS $47 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP FAMILIES ACROSS THE U.S. GET JOB-TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
Representative Capito receives $302,930 for West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.VA. - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi announced today that public housing agencies in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will receive $47,494,003 in funding to help low-income people get job training, employment and homeownership counseling.

"This funding will give more low-income adults the opportunity to get job-training that will lead to meaningful employment," said Bernardi. "Studies have shown that this funding has been effective and successful at moving low-income families up the economic ladder."

Bernardi announced the grants with Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito in Charleston, where the state of West Virginia will receive $302,930 and the Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority will receive $34,041 of these grants to assist local families.

"Securing a stable, good-paying job and achieving home ownership are essential parts of the American dream that is often spoken of," said Capito. "It is important that we assist West Virginians in achieving these goals, and I believe this funding will help do so."

The funding is from the HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (HCV/FSS) program that provides grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) to hire FSS program coordinators. FSS coordinators link adults in the HCV program (Section 8) to local organizations that provide job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and job placement. PHAs can also hire homeownership coordinators to help families get homeownership counseling.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that stipulates the head of the household will get a job and the family will 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 completes its FSS contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including a down payment on a home, paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying back debts.

Bernardi announced the grants at the new home of Amanda Garbett on Macon Street in South Charleston. Earlier this year, Garbett combined a HUD home-buying program with local resources to become a first-time homeowner.

"Amanda is building equity for her family's future by becoming a homeowner," said Bernardi, presenting her a plant. "She has joined the ranks of more than 75 million Americans who own their own homes. Homeownership is empowering people here in West Virginia and across America."

Garbett used the HCV Homeownership program, which allows first-time homeowners to use an HCV toward monthly homeownership expenses - mortgage payment and utilities. The Garbett family is the 27th West Virginia family - fifth in Charleston - to use a voucher to purchase a home. To date, more than 450 housing agencies have used the HCV Homeownership program to help nearly 5,000 low-income families become first-time homeowners. To prepare for homeownership, Garbettt received housing counseling from Jubilee Housing of the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov. For more information about FHA products, please visit www.fha.gov.

Recipients listed by state below, by housing authority

###