WCBC

December 22nd, 2018 by WCBC Radio

In an effort to help public housing residents become self-sufficient, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded today $793,659  in grants to public housing authorities and non-profit organizations in Maryland to hire or retain service coordinators to help residents find jobs and educational opportunities. Across the nation, $29 million was awarded.

 

ROSS Service Coordinators Grant Awards
State	Grantee Name	City	Amount
Maryland	Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland	Cumberland	$120,505
	Housing Authority of the City of Frederick	Frederick	$239,250
	Somerset Manor Residents Association and Havre De Grace Housing Authority	Havre De Grace	$225,000
	Housing Authority of the City of Columbia	Columbia	$208,904
		TOTAL	$793,659

 

“Providing families who live in public housing the opportunity to invest in themselves is a win-win as it helps them to gain economic and housing independence,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “Today, we’re investing in our residents, offering them the tools they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their children.”

 

“2019 will bring new opportunities for financial stability to public housing residents in Maryland,” said Joe DeFelice, regional administrator of HUD’s Mid-Atlantic region. “This funding helps them start the new year strong with a renewed sense of hope and access to services that can increase their knowledge, skills and abilities.”

Service coordinators work directly with residents to assess their needs and to connect them with education, job training and other services available in their community. Public housing authorities, resident associations, nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes (or entities representing Indian tribes) are all eligible for the funding.

Through HUD’s Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency-Service Coordinators (ROSS-SC) Program, local, innovative strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources are encouraged. They enable participating families to increase earned income and to reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance. 

In February, HUD announced $5.3 million in ROSS-SC funding to 14 public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations across the Mid-Atlantic region—$738,000 was awarded to Maryland.