News Release

HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $156,000 TO HELP INDIVIDUALS IN COMMERCE CITY
Funding to make families in public housing employable, self-sufficient

DENVER – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Director (RD) John Carson announced $156,219 for the Adams County Housing Authority to help low-income individuals get job training and employment placement. In Commerce City, RD Carson presented two ceremonial checks to the Housing Authority Director Don May: $91,219 check for a Family Self-sufficiency - Housing Choice Voucher grant and a second check for $65,000 Family Self-sufficiency - Public Housing funds.

"Individuals in Adams County will be able to receive job training, counseling and employment placement," said HUD Regional Director John Carson. "As a result of this program, families become self-sufficient, get help to find jobs and some become homeowners."

HUD's FSS program encourages communities, such as Adams County Housing Authority, to develop local strategies and help families who live in public housing or who participate in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to obtain employment that leads to economic independence and self-sufficiency. The Adams County Housing Authority's staff works with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and local partners to develop a comprehensive program that teaches participating FSS families skills and provides experiences to assist them to obtain employment.

HUD funded $908,881 for Family Self-Sufficiency/Housing choice Voucher recipients to 13 Colorado PHAs to hire or retain FSS coordinators. They will assist adult residents to seek employment. FSS coordinators link participants to community resources that help with their job search, such as: job training, employment placement programs or contacts with local employers. FSS coordinators help individuals locate childcare, counseling services, and transportation; all three often times are impediments to employment.

The Adams County participants in the FSS program (some of whom are on welfare) will sign a contract that stipulates the head of the household will find suitable employment and the family will no longer need welfare and housing assistance within five years. Because public housing and voucher rents are tied to income, when income rises, their rent rises. With the FSS program, the rent increase is paid to the PHA, but goes into an interest-bearing escrow account. When the participant successfully graduates from the program, he or she can use the escrow account for a variety of goals, including down payment on a home, starting a business, paying back debts or paying educational expenses.

Colorado Family Self Sufficiency programs received grants totaling $1,391,032. Housing authorities in Denver, Boulder, Loveland, Fort Collins and Adams County received Public Housing grants totaling $482,151. Thirteen Colorado agencies were awarded Housing Choice Voucher Grants totaling $908,881. Nationally, $59 million in grants was awarded through the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.

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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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.