HUD AWARDS $2.1 MILLION TO PROMOTE JOBS, SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS

WASHINGTON - To help public housing residents become self-sufficient, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $2 million in grants to public housing authorities and non-profit organizations across the nation to hire or retain service coordinators to help residents find jobs and educational opportunities. See list of funding by states below.

The funding, provided through HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency - Service Coordinators Program (ROSS-SC) helps public housing authorities, resident associations, non-profit organizations, Indian tribes or entities representing Indian tribes 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.

"Investing in families living in public housing is an investment for a brighter future for themselves and their children," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "This funding helps our local partners get public housing residents tools they need to gain economic and housing independence."

The purpose of HUD's ROSS-SC program is to encourage local, innovative strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

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