ARIZONA NEWS

Federal agency awards Arizona $1.4M to support public housing residents

Feb 20, 2019, 5:55 AM

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $74 million to public housing authorities nationwide, with more than $1.4 million going to Arizona.

The money will help public housing residents increase their income and reduce dependence on subsidies, the agency said last week in a press release.

“One of the most important things we can do as public servants is to help HUD-assisted families achieve their dreams,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in the release.

“Working with our local partners, HUD is connecting families to educational opportunities, job training, childcare and other resources that allow them to get higher paying jobs and, ultimately, become self-sufficient.”

Twelve agencies in Arizona were awarded the money, including:

  • City of Tempe Housing Services: $51,455
  • Housing Authority of Maricopa County: $69,380
  • City of Chandler: $124,548
  • City of Phoenix Housing Department: $208,139
  • City of Mesa: $69,100
  • City of Scottsdale Housing Agency: $69,100

Public housing residents who sign up for the Family Self-Sufficiency program must have heads of household obtain employment and refrain from using public assistance for five years.

If they succeed, they receive money placed in an escrow account based on their income over the term.

According to the release, families in the program nearly tripled their income on average, with a starting income of around $10,000 increasing to $27,000 by the end.

“It’s not often that a government program creates incentives that support families moving toward greater self-sufficiency, while also benefiting the local housing authority and the public coffers,” Jimmy Stracner, HUD regional administrator, said in the release.

“A recent cost-benefit analysis of a local Family Self-Sufficiency program revealed that over five years it achieved just that – saving tax payers nearly as much as it cost them and netting an average of over $10,300 per participant to help them along that journey.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

2 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

3 hours ago

Mesa Public Schools is planning layoffs....

Kevin Stone

Mesa Public Schools reveals details about how many jobs it plans to cut

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, released new details about its previously announced plan for layoffs.

3 hours ago

Edmund Davis...

Danny Shapiro

Man connected to Alicia Navarro case gets 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children

A Montana man who admitted he was the boyfriend of Alicia Navarro, the Glendale girl who went missing for four years, received a 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children, authorities announced Tuesday.

4 hours ago

$50K winning Powerball ticket sold in Scottsdale Safeway...

Serena O'Sullivan

Powerball ticket worth $50K sold in Scottsdale grocery store

A winning Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was recently sold in a Safeway in Scottsdale, according to a Tuesday Arizona Lottery news release.

5 hours ago

Brady Fire...

Danny Shapiro

Brady Fire forces evacuations for residents south of Prescott

The Brady Fire that sparked Monday afternoon forced evacuations for some residents south of Prescott, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Federal agency awards Arizona $1.4M to support public housing residents