July 10, 2024

HUD: Over $30 Million Awarded to Connect Public Housing Residents to Employment and Education to Help Bridge the Wealth Gap

Awards will go to Public Housing Agencies and will help increase economic mobility to families across the country.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded over $30 million to 14 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in 12 states to help families increase their earned income and improve their economic mobility through the Jobs Plus program. HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard Monocchio made the announcement in Jacksonville, FL.

“HUD is committed to increasing family self-sufficiency and supporting the long-term success of individuals and communities,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Improving the employment outlook for residents is the first step in helping people find and keep jobs, ultimately helping families thrive and helping bridge the wealth gap.” Read more about how these PHAs will put their grant funds to work here.

The Jobs Plus program supports work readiness and connects public housing residents with employment, education, and financial empowerment services – part of an evidence-based model proven to help public housing residents find and keep jobs. This program also supports HUD’s Bridging the Wealth Gap agenda which pursues economic justice and asset building for renters.

“This Administration believes in the power of investing in people and economic opportunities in addition to their housing and neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard J. Monocchio. “These grants help communities create and expand opportunities for those living in public housing now and into the future.”

The Jobs Plus program is a place-based community investment that combines sector-based employment connections, comprehensive employment readiness services, and a wealth building rent incentive designed to cultivate an effective community support for work. The program requires PHAs to partner locally with Department of Labor Workforce Development Boards and American Jobs Centers. Additionally, Jobs Plus grantees are required to demonstrate a 25 percent match from community partners, providing wrap-around supportive services to improve employment and earnings outcomes. Cross-agency partnerships are essential to changing the economic prospects of public housing residents. The Jobs Plus program’s place-based model helps residents support each other through the process, enhancing economic resiliency.


The following public housing authorities are receiving funding:

Grantee NameCityStateAmount Grant Funds
Eufaula Housing AuthorityEufaulaAlabama$ 1,600,000
Selma Housing AuthoritySelmaAlabama$ 2,300,000
Housing Authority County of San JoaquinStocktonCalifornia$ 1,600,000
Jacksonville Housing AuthorityJacksonvilleFlorida$ 2,300,000
Housing Authority of the City of ValdostaValdostaGeorgia$ 3,000,000
Peoria Housing AuthorityPeoriaIllinois$ 1,600,000
Fort Wayne Housing AuthorityFort WayneIndiana$ 2,300,000
New Albany Housing AuthorityNew AlbanyIndiana$ 1,911,572
Housing Authority of New OrleansNew OrleansLouisiana$ 1,422,850
Southern Nevada Regional Housing AuthorityLas VegasNevada$ 3,000,000
New York City Housing AuthorityNew YorkNew York$ 3,700,000
The City of Providence Housing AuthorityProvidenceRhode Island$ 2,299,981
Jackson Housing AuthorityJacksonTennessee$ 2,300,000
Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing AuthorityCharlottesvilleVirginia$1,600,000
 $ 30,934,403 
This post was originally published here.