MADISON - The City of Madison Community Development Authority (CDA) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $243,000 grant, for a 3 year period, under the Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency - Services Coordinator (ROSS-SC) program to work with its Public Housing residents.

CDA Board Chair Kelly Thompson-Frater states "that our public housing isn't only about buildings. We are very happy to dovetail with HUD, using this grant to provide services to our residents in job searching skills, increasing their education and to help them become more independent. The CDA is successful when our residents can have a better life."

"As we work to assist families and individuals in Madison, this funding is invaluable," said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. "These partnerships connecting people to job training and employment will lead to a better quality of life for residents of our city. "

WASHINGTON -The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded nearly $35 million in grants to public housing authorities, resident associations and non-profit organizations across the U.S. to help public housing residents find jobs and achieve economic and housing independence.

HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency - Service Coordinators Program (ROSS-SC) helps public housing authorities, resident associations, non-profit organizations, Indian tribes or entities representing Indian tribes hire or retain "service coordinators" who work directly with residents to assess their needs and connect them with education, job training and placement programs and/or computer and financial literacy services available in their community to promote self-sufficiency. "These service coordinators will help thousands of public housing residents connect to jobs and opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency and improved quality of life," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

The purpose of HUD's ROSS-SC program is to encourage local, innovative strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

For additional information please contact CDA staff Agustin Olvera at 267-8712 or aolvera@cityofmadison.com