The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $32.9 million in grants to public housing agencies to help public housing residents get jobs and buy homes, the department said Monday.
The funding comes from is provided through HUD’s Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency, or ROSS, Program. These grants are awarded to public housing authorities, resident organizations or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents to encourage self-sufficiency among residents, HUD said.
ROSS programs link public housing residents with supportive services, including education, job and computer training and home-ownership counseling.
“This funding aides helps families on their way to economic independence,” said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson in a statement Monday.
“Whether it’s becoming more computer savvy, taking classes to get a better job or learning what it takes to become a homeowner, ROSS grants are available to help public housing residents achieve their personal and career goals,” Jackson said.
The funding announced Monday is from two ROSS programs – Resident Service Delivery Model Family and Public Housing Neighborhood Networks.
RSDM Family grants are used by public housing authorities to hire project coordinators to assess residents’ job, educational and other needs and goals.
These coordinators link residents with local employers and educational programs, including college preparatory classes. To give residents the opportunity to take advantage of the education, training and employment services, this funding also matches residents to supportive services such as childcare and transportation, HUD said.
Public Housing Neighborhood Networks grants allow public housing authorities to create, update or expand community computer centers. These centers in local public housing communities link families to employment, healthcare and other quality-of-life resources, according to HUD.
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