Sens. Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $2 Million in Federal Funds to Help Virginians On Public Assistance Become Self-Sufficient

Press Release

Today, Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that 19 Virginia localities will receive more than $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will help Virginia families who receive federal housing vouchers and public housing residents reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income.

"These funds will help empower Virginia families to pull themselves out of poverty through educational opportunities, job training, and counseling," said both Senators. "By giving individuals the tools they need to succeed, we help strengthen Virginia's economy and reduce dependency on already-overburdened public assistance programs in our state."

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, whose goal is to increase earned income and decrease welfare program dependency, administers the funds to local government housing entities. Once an eligible family is selected, a contract is established for a 5-7-year period that incorporates individualized training and outlines both short and long-term goals. Resources and special services such as childcare, transportation, education, job training, employment counseling, financial literacy, and homeownership counseling are provided to families through service providers in the community.

The following Virginia communities will receive funding from HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program:

Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $196,272
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $41,843
Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $148,068
Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $138,000
Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $69,000
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $332,175
Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $69,000
Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $47,271
City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $161,460
Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $162,030
Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $50,813
Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $60,000
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $138,000
Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $83,321
Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $104,340
County of Loudoun: $67,326
City of Virginia Beach Dept. of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation: $48,435
James City County Office of Housing & Community Development: $23,990
Prince William County Office of Housing & Community Development: $69,000

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