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HUD ANNOUNCES NEARLY $60 MILLION TO TRAIN AT-RISK YOUTH; GRANTS WILL EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Thousands of high school dropouts will get a new start in life

WASHINGTON - Thousands of high school dropouts in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will have a chance at a new start in the construction trades because of nearly $60 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

The grants are part of HUD's Youthbuild Program to provide job training, leadership skills and academic schooling to an estimated 3,700 low-income at-risk young people (see attached list).

"These grants provide young people a golden opportunity to break into the workforce," said Martinez. "Not only do they get the training and education necessary to launch them on a new path in life, but those communities where they work get the benefit of affordable homes."

Youthbuild participants experience difficulty finding good jobs because they lack high school diplomas and necessary employment skills. The grants announced today will help these young men and women to receive high school equivalency diplomas and provide training in homebuilding skills that will qualify them for careers in the building industry.

HUD's Youthbuild Program provides young people between the ages of 16 and 24 with on-the-job training to acquire construction skills by building and renovating single-family homes and multi-family apartments. The homes are then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low-income persons as well as homeless individuals and families.

In addition, these grants are anticipated to generate more than $51 million from other public and private sources. President Bush is requesting $65 million in Youthbuild funding in the fiscal year 2003 budget. Youthbuild grants totaling $365 million have been awarded since 1993.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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View a list of the Youthbuild awards announced today.

Read full descriptions of the individual Youthbuild awards announced today.