To help localities create and sustain jobs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $75 million in grants. This amount is expected to help public and assisted housing residents obtain training to find jobs, a press release stated.
The funding will help grantees across the U.S., the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to sustain or employ 1,500 service coordinators to work directly with HUD-assisted families, who will connect them to supportive services that meet their individual needs to become gainfully employed, according to the press release.
“This funding ultimately links individuals to childcare, computer access, job training and other basic skills individuals need to compete for jobs that pay a living wage,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in a statement. “To continue to grow America’s economy, we must see to it that every American has the skills and resources they need to become gainfully employed.”
The $75 million in grants comprises $15 million through the Public Housing-Family Self-Sufficiency Program and $60 million through the Housing Choice Voucher-Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
According to the press release, these 1,500 service coordinators will work with residents to connect them to local organizations that will impart them with skills to gain employability. Besides, it will also help participants increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
Participating families are also required to sign a five-year contract, which requires the head of the household be employed at the end of the five-year term. He should also not be receiving 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 successfully completes its Family Self Sufficiency contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying debts,” the press release said.
