Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Jan. 8 that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be awarding communities across Oregon a total of $3,035,546 from the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program fund.
Mid-Columbia Housing Authority based in The Dalles has been awarded $70,353, said a press release from the senators’ press offices.
“These funds will be used to assist families who are struggling with housing affordability to maximize their housing assistance and connect them with training and services to ultimately help them become economically self-sufficient,” said the press release.
“Access to safe and affordable housing is vital to growing strong and vibrant communities, but I have heard from many Oregonians about the need for more housing resources and the crushing weight of our affordable housing crisis,” said Merkley. “This funding will provide critical support for communities and individuals across the state struggling to find affordable housing, and I will continue fighting to ensure Oregonians have the housing resources they need to live safe and healthy lives.”
“Many challenges that Oregon families face on a day-to-day basis, like access to consistent childcare and work, can’t be addressed until they find reliable housing,” Wyden said. “In my town halls across all of Oregon, I hear from folks calling for more affordable housing. I am excited for this award and I will continue to help drive new housing opportunities for those in need.”
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program allocates grants to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) for supporting the salaries of FSS program coordinators. These coordinators play a crucial role in helping participating families maximize their housing assistance by connecting them with training and services aimed at enhancing economic self-sufficiency. Grants incentivize the development of community-level plans that align public and private resources, with the ultimate goal of empowering participating families to achieve economic independence and reducing dependence on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.
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