U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $397,147 in federal funds for five municipalities and housing authorities in Western New York. These funds were allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program. The FSS 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 job skills.
“These federal funds from the Family Self-Sufficiency program will help five municipalities and housing agencies in Western New York provide the education and job training programs needed to help our most vulnerable gain the job skills needed to get back on their feet,” said Senator Schumer. “When we help job seekers gain education and marketable job skills we open up pathways to economic opportunity and help those in need to better provide for their families.”
“This federal investment through HUD is a lifeline for hundreds of families in Hudson Valley,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Access to stable housing is essential for the health of our families and the economic strength of our communities. These federal dollars will help families get the resources they need so they can have a safe place to call home while gaining assistance in acquiring the necessary skills for securing a good-paying job.”
The following groups in the Western New York Region received this HUD funding:
- Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo in Erie County will receive $98,967
- Buffalo Municipal in Erie County will receive $34,500
- City of North Towanda Belmont Housing Resources in Erie County will receive $48,583
- City of Lockport Housing Authority Inc. in Niagara County will receive $68,000
- Erie County PHA Consortium Town of Amherst Belmont Housing in Erie County will receive $147,097
“The Family Self Sufficiency Program allows us to have a very positive impact,” said Mary Shine, Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo Executive Director. “The program assists Housing Voucher families gain economic self sufficiency through our services. We are very grateful for the grant and proud of our ability to assist the families who chose to participate.”
“The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority is elated to receive this Family Self Sufficiency Grant which has been graciously bestowed upon the Authority today, with the assistance and support of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand,” said Mrs. Dawn E. Sanders-Garrett, Executive Director, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. “These funds will be used to assist approximately 30 very low and extremely low income families in dire need of services, which include financial, educational, and social services. The average income of families being served by the BMHA is $12,000 per year.”
“The Family Self Sufficiency Program has a proven track record of helping Section 8 recipients gain access to education, employment and asset building opportunities which, along with affordable housing, provide the necessary foundation for their long term self sufficiency,” said Sandra Becker Senior Housing Programs Manager, Belmont Housing Resources for WNY. “Belmont Housing Resources for WNY is pleased that Congress and HUD continue to fund programs that help lower income families and individuals reach their full potential.”
The FSS program enables families assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher program, and Public Housing residents to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.