Johnston Housing Authority (JHA) Gets HUD Grant

June 2, 2010 - PRLog -- News Release                                       Contact: David M. aRusso, Executive Director
                                                                   401-231-2007

june 2, 2010
JHA Only PHA in RI to Receive ROSS Grant
--
$174, 000.00 Awarded to JHA for Resident Services

On May 12, 2010 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $27,947,749 in grants to public housing and non-profit agencies across the U.S. that will help public housing residents find employment that lead them toward economic independence. The funding will also link the elderly with supportive services that will allow them to age-in-place.
“We are so thrilled to be awarded this grant, as it will continue our mission to enrich the lives of the residents we serve.” said JHA Executive Director, David M. aRusso.  ‘It has been a priority for this housing authority to build community partnerships and broaden the network of the JHA in order to make our elderly residents enjoy a happy and healthy life. This grant will certainly help us to be more innovative and creative in those efforts.”  HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan noted the general purpose for the grants, “This is money well spent in these economic times," said Donovan.  "This funding allows our partner local housing agencies to provide families with more than just affordable housing, but also resources that will help them obtain jobs and achieve personal and career goals."

The funding is provided through HUD's Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) - Service Coordinators program, which enables public housing agencies (PHAs) to keep or hire a "service coordinator" to work directly with residents to assess their needs to connect them with education, job training and placement programs and/or computer and financial literacy services available in their community to promote self-sufficiency. For the elderly or disabled, the service coordinator arranges supportive services that allow them to maintain their independent lifestyle.

The purpose of the ROSS 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.



Click Here for HUD Release

About Johnston Housing Authority
The JHA is a public housing agency currently serving 728 citizens by providing decent, safe and affordable housing opportunities in both Public Housing and Section 8 Programs. The authority currently manages housing choice vouchers that provide rent subsidies to qualified people within the community. The JHA also manages public housing for the elderly and disabled as well as family housing throughout the town of Johnston. The housing choice voucher program provides an infusion of capital directly to Johnston landlords, which helps to stimulate the local economy and build proud neighborhoods.  The JHA also directs The Section 32 Home Ownership Program which rehabs homes and actively prepares and places qualified people in a position to achieve the American dream of home ownership.  The JHA is a cutting edge authority with a successful home ownership program which to date has returned 25 homes to the tax rolls at an annual tax benefit of $125,000.00 to the Town of Johnston.

Our Mission
To help people and families achieve the American Dream through leadership and advocacy. To provide housing opportunities and other services for all qualified citizens. To foster community partnerships that rebuild lives and strengthen neighborhoods. For more information visit
www.johnstonhousing.org

# # #

A boutique PR, communications and marketing firm in Rhode Island developed and designed to help small businesses, agencies and non-profit organizations maximize PR and marketing opportunities without BIG price tags and lengthy contracts.