September 21, 2012
Harkin Announces Nearly $1.3 Million in to Increase Iowans’ Ability to Become Financially Independent
Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that a total of $1,299,015 is coming to 15 communities across Iowa from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds will provide assistance to public and private groups to enable participating families to increase earned income and financial literacy and to reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, which funds HUD initiatives.
“Providing the tools to Iowans who may need assistance to become financially independent helps the entire community,” said Harkin. “When residents have the skills to obtain a job, take care of their family, and possibly buy a home, the benefits go beyond this one family to the local economy.”
The funding was provided by the HUD Housing Choice Voucher-Family Self Sufficiency Program (HCV-FSS) and the Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grant program.
HCV-FSS encourages communities to develop local strategies to help voucher families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public housing agencies work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage.
ROSS links public housing residents with supportive services, resident empowerment activities, and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient.
Details of the HCV-FSS grants program include:
Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority - $57,529
City of Cedar Rapids - $138,000
City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency - $132,973
City of Dubuque - $178,260
City of Sioux City Housing Authority - $138,000
Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority - $138,000
Iowa City Housing Authority - $121,721
Mid Iowa Regional Housing Authority - $23,528
Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs - $24,338
Municipal Housing Agency of the City of Fort Dodge - $51,383
City of Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency - $55,309
Northeast Nebraska Joint Housing Agency - $20,378
Region XII Regional Housing Authority - $22,500
Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority - $43,850
Waterloo Housing Authority - $17,500
Details of the ROSS grant program include:
City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency - $69,000
Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority - $66,746