HUD AWARDS $2.7 MILLION JOBS PLUS PILOT GRANT TO CITY OF SACRAMENTO HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS

Family Self-Sufficiency Program awarded $207,000 to help residents increase earned income

SACRAMENTO, – December 22, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — HUD Secretary Julian Castro and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award the Housing Authority of the City of Sacramento $2,700,000 in grant funding for the Jobs Plus Pilot program as part of a $100 million investment in locally-based programs aimed to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing through work readiness programs, employer linkages, job placement, and financial literacy. The City of Sacramento Housing Authority was one of only eight recipients nationwide.

These grants will make a meaningful impact in the lives of public housing residents and their families by providing a pathway towards self-sufficiency,” said HUD Secretary Julian Castro. “As the Department of Opportunity, HUD is empowering public housing residents to improve their circumstances with new economic and educational tools they need to compete and succeed in the workplace.”

“The Jobs Plus Grant builds on Sacramento’s Promise Zone designation and Choice Neighborhoods planning grant, equipping public housing residents with the resources they need to feel empowered in their job search,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Jobs Plus Pilot Program will connect low-income residents with employment opportunities, which is ultimately foundational to Sacramento families’ long-term prosperity, and our region’s continued growth. I am thankful to Secretary Castro and SHRA for their work in securing this critical grant.”

“There is nothing more important than economic security and this money will increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing. With this $2.7 million grant, he Promise Zone designation and the Choice Neighborhoods planning grant, HUD continues to recognize Sacramento as a City working to improve the lives of everyone resident,” Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) administers the public housing program on behalf of the City of Sacramento which houses approximately 12,000 individuals.

The Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities are close in proximity to employment and education opportunities in Downtown Sacramento. The Jobs Plus Pilot Program supports work readiness and connects public housing residents with employment, education and financial empowerment services—and is a model proven to help public housing residents find and keep jobs.

“SHRA is proud to be selected to receive a $2.7 million Jobs Plus award which will greatlyenhance our efforts to break down barriers to employment for residents at our Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities where over 50 percent of the residents age 18 – 64 are able to work yet are unemployed,” said La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Doris Matsui for her tireless efforts to benefit Sacramento residents. This award will significantly enhance our capacity to build on our Choice Neighborhoods workforce strategy with support from over 40 partners to create pathways to self-sufficiency.”

SHRA has engaged over 40 partners to provide resources for the program leveraging over $3.7 million. Key partners are United Way, Sacramento Resident Advisory Board, City of Sacramento, Valley Vision, Urban League, WEAVE, Inc., Francis House Center, Center for Employment Training, Goodwill, GRID Alternatives, Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps, A.C.E., Asian Resources Inc., County of Sacramento, and Sacramento Employment and Training Agency.

The $100 million investment also included grants for HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

The FSS Program helps PHAs to hire service coordinators who work directly with residents to connect them with programs and services that already exist in the local community. Service coordinators also build relationships with the network of local service providers so as to more effectively serve the residents. The program encourages innovative strategies that link public housing and Housing Choice Voucher assistance with other resources to enable participating families to find jobs, increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance, and make progress toward achieving economic independence and selfsufficiency.

The City of Sacramento Housing Authority and the County of Sacramento Housing Authority will receive $69,000 and $138,000 respectively to administer the program with support from more than 30 partners.

SHRA (www.shra.org) is a Joint Powers Authority created by the City and County of Sacramento to represent both jurisdictions for affordable housing and community redevelopment needs. SHRA has a FY 2015 budget of $184 million and 225 employees.

The Agency owns and manages 3,144 units of public housing and is one of the largest landlords in Sacramento. SHRA also administers approximately 12,000 rent assistance vouchers per month.

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CONTACT:
Angela Jones, Public Information Officer
(916) 440-1355, or (916) 919-3090
www.shra.org