TRENTON, NJ (October 21, 2019) The Trenton Housing Authority (THA) is pleased to announce that it was awarded $63,331 for a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program grant by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The grant will allow the THA to develop and execute programs to improve the self-sufficiency needs of THA residents, which may include job training, education and health care.
“For more than 80 years, we’ve provided thousands of Trenton households with affordable housing and the tools to help them become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life,” said Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of the THA. “This self-sufficiency grant enables us to continue to fulfill our mission and help to lead THA residents on the road to better health, careers and education.”
Currently, the THA provides a number of supportive services to help residents become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life in four areas:
- Year-round recreation services providing our residents and their children with recreation and exercise;
- Public health education and awareness, which gives greater accessibility of health data for public housing residents;
- Connecting residents/former residents with donors, focusing on microbusiness development and vocational training; and
- Workforce development, including fostering connections between THA residents with local businesses.
The HUD grant was a part of $1.2 million in new funding to new public housing authorities through its FSS program. This is the first time since 2012 that new public housing authorities have been awarded funding.
According to HUD, the FSS program: “helps local public housing authorities hire service coordinators who work directly with residents to connect them with programs and services that already exist in the local community. The FSS program encourages innovative strategies that link housing assistance with a broad spectrum of services that will enable participating families to find jobs, increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.”
FSS is a part of HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program which assists residents living in public housing to reduce their dependency on public assistance and rental subsidies.
About the Trenton Housing Authority
The THA is an autonomous body that is chartered by the City of Trenton in accord with State enabling legislation. THA is partially funded, with capital grants and operating subsidies, by the federal government through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The THA is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The THA is committed to providing decent, safe and sanitary housing that is thoroughly constructed, carefully maintained and expertly managed. THA seeks to identify projects that have the potential to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of neighborhoods in the City of Trenton. THA promotes self-sufficiency among the families that reside in its communities by partnering with local agencies and organizations to provide education, training, employment and business opportunities for its residents. To learn more, visit: www.tha-nj.org.