The federal government is giving Illinois housing agencies nearly $2.6 million to help low-income residents find employment and training.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says the aim of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program is to promote local housing authorities’ efforts to help their residents progress toward economic independence.
HUD wants local agencies to connect residents of public housing to resources that will help them reduce their dependence on public aid.
HUD says the grants will enable the agencies to work with social service agencies, community colleges, businesses, and other local partners to provide education and other resources to those residents that might lead to a new or better job.
The largest single grant was awarded to the Chicago Housing Authority, nearly $800,000. The Rockford Housing Authority was awarded $201,000, Winnebago County’s Housing Authority $133,000, Elgin’s $136,000 and Freeport's $69,000
In all, HUD is awarding nearly $75 million under the program to housing agencies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
