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U.S. awards grants to help public-housing residents find work

Jerry W. Jackson

Sentinel Staff Writer

10:14 AM EDT, March 12, 2009

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded public housing authorities in Florida $568,170 to help public housing residents find jobs.

Two of the housing authorities are in Central Florida: the Housing Authority of Brevard County, which receives $53,614, and the Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach, awarded $42,436.

The money was part of nearly $12 million awarded to 207 public housing agencies nationwide. The grants are provided through HUD's Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which enables public housing agencies to hire program coordinators who work directly with residents to connect them with local education and training opportunities; job placement organizations and local employers.

A HUD representative said the purpose of the program is to encourage innovative local strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to help families increase their earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and make progress toward "achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. "

Others in Florida receiving funds are: Hialeah Housing Authority ($37,981), Housing Authority of City of Ft. Pierce ($45,320), Housing Authority of Lakeland ($49,094), Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers ($56,643 ), Jacksonville Housing Authority ($43,657 ), Lee County Housing Authority ($46,000 ), Sarasota Housing Authority ($45,000 ), Housing Authority of the City of Bradenton ($46,813), Housing Authority of the City of Tampa ($63,714 ) and West Palm Beach Housing Authority ($37,898).

Mission Statement: To provide safe, decent and affordable public housing to persons and families with limited financial resources and to provide residents with access to programs, which will assist them in making the transition to greater financial security.