Lincoln, Pryor, Berry, Snyder, Ross Announce Employment Services Funds for 17 Arkansas Housing Authorities
Washington, DC – March 30, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02) and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that 17 Arkansas housing authorities will receive a total of $765,627 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to hire and retain coordinators who will help individuals receiving public housing assistance secure employment. Coordinators help families and individuals acquire training and other services that assist them in finding employment or higher-paying jobs.
Grants were awarded through HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program, which assists the recipients of housing vouchers in finding employment that can lead to economic independence. It coordinates local public housing agencies with schools, businesses, welfare agencies, and other local partners that can develop work-related skills and experiences for FSS family members.
“It is important that we care for our low-income, elderly, and disabled populations,” Lincoln said. “I am glad the public housing agencies in Arkansas received these federal funds so they can continue to help Arkansans in need become self-sufficient.”
“Job training and employment assistance are critical to helping struggling Arkansans gain economic independence,” Pryor said. “These important services will make a real difference in the lives of many Arkansans and are a wise investment in our local economy.”
“In order to keep our communities strong, it is important we support those that are less fortunate among us,” Berry said. “This funding will help give a hand to our fellow Arkansans that are looking to improve their lives through better training and new job opportunities.”
“Teaching people how to be self sufficient can greatly improve their livelihood, and having good management to make this happen effectively can help these citizens stay self sufficient long term,” Snyder said.
“During these tough economic times, too many Arkansans have lost their jobs or their homes through no fault of their own,” Ross said. “These federal investments will not only help create jobs now, but they will also help thousands of Arkansans get back on their feet, find a job and find a place of their own to call home.”
The following Arkansas housing authorities received awards:
First District:
Housing Authority of Lonoke County – $46,427
Housing Authority of the City of West Memphis – $44,525
Jonesboro Urban Renewal and Housing Authority – $52,550
Mississippi County Public Facilities Board – $38,925
White River Regional Housing Authority (Melbourne) – $49,002
Wynne Housing Authority – $34,000
Second District:
Conway County Housing Authority – $39,151
Little Rock Housing Authority – $38,000
North Little Rock Housing Authority – $110,039
Pulaski County Housing Authority – $35,510
Third District:
Fort Smith Housing Authority – $51,510
Northwest Regional Housing Authority (Harrison) – $40,609
Pope County Public Facilities Board – $35,695
Fourth District:
Housing Authority of the City of Hope – $31,314
Housing Authority of the City of Hot Springs – $35,360
Housing Authority of the City of Pine Bluff – $43,200
McGehee Public Residential Housing Facilities Board – $39,810
Contact:
Lincoln, Marni Goldberg, 202-224-4843
Pryor, Michael Teague, 501-324-6336
Berry, Will Jennings, 202-225-4076
Snyder, Betsy Barrett, 202-225-2506
Ross, Brad Howard, 202-225-0753
