Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced two grants totaling $129,427 in federal funding for the Geneva Housing Authority and the Rochester Housing Authority. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program and the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program. The Geneva Housing Authority will receive $65,094 from the FSS program and the Rochester Housing Authority will receive $64,333 from the VASH program. The funding will be used to carryout services and provide housing vouchers for citizens in need.
“One homeless family is one too many, and we must do everything to help provide people with a comfortable place to live,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will help homeless veterans and families find affordable housing in Rochester, as well as help them find meaningful employment, which is critical to helping them get back on their feet. Our veterans willingly risked life and limb for our country and this investment will provide them with the services they need to build a life here in Upstate New York.”
“Every person in Geneva and Rochester deserves to have a safe quality place to live,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help our veterans and homeless families get the resources and assistance they need so they can have a safe place to call home and are able to gain additional skills so they can find good-paying jobs. This kind of investment will help keep more New Yorkers and their families off the streets.”
“The Rochester Housing Authority is proud of our partnership with the local Veterans Administration office and we are looking forward to serving the Veteran community with this funding award,” said Alex Castro, Executive Director, Rochester Housing Authority.
“We are really pleased to get this renewal funding. It will help fund a Service Coordinator position that oversees the Family Self Sufficiency Program within the Public Housing Department,” said Andrew Tyman, Chief Executive Officer, Geneva Housing Authority.
HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides housing vouchers and a range of support services for homeless veterans and their families. HUD’s Family Self Sufficiency program assists local social services agencies, community colleges, businesses and other local organizations in providing education and job training in order to help those participating in HUD’s housing voucher program and living in public housing gain marketable jobs skills. This program will help those utilizing housing assistance programs gain the education and skills needed to find and retain good jobs and become self-sufficient.