U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $ 74,839 in federal funding for the Monticello Housing Authority in Sullivan County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 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 programs. The program helps assist eligible families participating in HUD’s housing voucher program and living in public housing gain marketable job skills, training, educational services and access to job openings in order to become economically self-sufficient.
“These federal funds from the Family Self-Sufficiency program will help Sullivan County 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 the 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.”
“Monticello Housing Authority is pleased to be informed that we will once again be receiving Family Self Sufficiency Program Funding,” said Anne Cahill Johansen, Executive Director, Monticello Housing Authority. “This funding will allow our Coordinators to continue their work in helping our Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Participants, by linking them with local resources to obtain the employment, education and services they need to help them achieve economic independence.”
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.