HUD announces $45.9 million in low-income grants

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced $45,972,854 million in grants Oct. 3 to 687 housing authorities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that will be used for job training and placement for low-income citizens.

"This funding will help thousands of citizens find employment and eventually become economically independent," said Martinez. "The Bush Administration is committed to revitalizing communities through job advocacy, training programs and economic development, and these grants will help these states and territories strengthen neighborhoods."

HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency program provides funds to public-housing agencies specifically for the employment of family self-sufficiency coordinators. The FSS coordinators assist adults in job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and job placement programs.

Participants in the job preparedness program, some of whom are on welfare, sign a contract that stipulates the head of the household will get a job and the family will be self-sufficient within five years.