HUD Archives: News Releases

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $75.2 MILLION TO INCREASE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS
Grants Help Elderly, Those With Disabilities Live Independently

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $75.2 million in grants today that will be used to help public housing residents become more economically self-sufficient and give elderly and people with disabilities supportive services to allow them to live independently.

"These grants give public housing authorities, resident organizations and non-profit organizations the necessary assistance to provide services to public housing residents that will lead to employment," said HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. "This funding also aids public housing residents who are elderly and those with disabilities continue their independent lifestyle."

The Resident Opportunities Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program grants are awarded to public housing authorities (PHAs), resident organizations or non-profit organizations acting on behalf of residents. These grants link public housing residents to services that lead to employment and leadership within their community that may lead to self-sufficiency. In addition, ROSS grants provide support services to elderly and persons with disabilities who live in public housing.

ROSS funding is distributed under the following categories:

• Resident Service Delivery Models for Families, Elderly and Disabled - $31,579,121

For families this funding promotes self-sufficiency by providing job and business development training; developing methods to link residents to jobs with specific employers in specified fields; creating credit unions; and providing support services such as child care, transportation, and family counseling. For the elderly and persons with disabilities this funding provides personal assistance with daily activities; transportation to medical appointments, shopping, etc.; and establishes health and wellness programs in the community.

• Service Coordinators - $15,698,480

Allows PHAs to hire service coordinators to assist elderly and disabled public housing residents. Service coordinators link these individuals with local community services to help them live independently such as securing transportation services for medical appointments or rehabilitation services.

• Neighborhood Networks - $12,150,000

Funding allows PHAs to establish and/or operate Neighborhood Network Centers that use computer technology and telecommunications or to update and expand existing computer centers. NN Centers help public housing residents increase the use of computer technology; reduce welfare dependency; promote economic self-sufficiency; provide opportunities for job training and development; expand educational opportunities for residents; and develop access to health and nutrition information.

• Homeownership Supportive Services - $9,855,582

Funding allows PHAs to offer home-buying counseling and other supportive services to achieve homeownership for public housing residents.

• Resident Management and Business Development - $3,760,000

This funding is made directly to public housing resident organizations to increase resident involvement and participation in their housing development; develop resident management opportunities; provide development opportunities for resident-led businesses or cooperatives and other activities that promote self-sufficiency.

• Capacity Building - $2,252,253

These funds assists public and tribal housing residents in establishing new resident organizations; assists site-based associations that do not have the capacity to administer a welfare-to-work program or conduct management activities; enhance the capacity of existing resident organizations to enable residents to participate in housing agency decision-making, manage all or portion of their housing developments, and/or develop skills and expertise needed to administer grants.

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 at www.hud.gov.

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Note to editors: Award amounts by location are available on-line.

ROSS funding will be distributed to 48 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

Content Archived: April 9, 2010