HUD Awards $16.3 Million to PHAs to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency

HUD recently awarded nearly $16.3 million in grants to help public housing residents gain access to education, job training, and employment.

“This is a modest investment that can make a world of difference for families looking to find their path to self-sufficiency,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “As America’s economy continues to recover, it’s critical that we work to make sure every American has the skills and resources they need to successfully compete for jobs in the 21st century.”

HUD’s Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program helps public housing authorities across the country to hire or retain more than 300 program coordinators who will work directly with families to connect them to the supportive services that meet their individual needs and to become gainfully employed. The program coordinators work directly with residents to connect them with local organizations that provide education and job training and placement opportunities, as well as childcare, counseling, transportation, and computer and financial literacy services.

Participants sign a five-year contract that requires the head of the household to obtain employment and 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 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.