Arizona is to receive a large sum of money, more than $1.4 million, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, in an attempt to help low-income families become self-sufficient. The money is a part of a $74 million award given to public housing authorities across the country. It’s goal is to enable residents to build dependable income.
Ben Carson, the HUD Secretary commented on the money in a press release:
“One of the most important things we can do as public servants is to help HUD-assisted families achieve their dreams. Working with our local partners, HUD is connecting families to educational opportunities, job training, childcare and other resources that allow them to get higher paying jobs and, ultimately, become self-sufficient.”
The program is called the Family Self-Sufficiency program, and there are stipulations on who receives the funds. In order to be a part of the program, the head of the household has to find and maintain employment and not be enrolled in a public assistance program for five years.
If these stipulations are met, the award will be placed in an escrow account, and it’ll be based on the amount of income they earned during the time enrolled in the program.
The release states that participants tripled their income when enrolled in the program, starting at $10,000 a year and ending at almost $27,000.
Jimmy Stracner, HUD regional administrator, says it helps families move toward self-sufficiency.
“A recent cost-benefit analysis of a local Family Self-Sufficiency program revealed that over five years it achieved just that – saving taxpayers nearly as much as it cost them and netting an average of over $10,300 per participant to help them along that journey.”
Twelve agencies in Arizona are receiving funds. They include:
- City of Tempe Housing Services: $51,455
- Housing Authority of Maricopa County: $69,380
- City of Chandler: $124,548
- City of Phoenix Housing Department: $208,139
- City of Mesa: $69,100
- City of Scottsdale Housing Agency: $69,100
