Visclosky Congratulates Gary and Hammond on HUD Grant Awards

Merrillville, IN – Congressman Pete Visclosky extended his congratulations to the Gary and Hammond Housing Authorities for their hard work to secure grants from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Administration (HUD) that will help low-income job seekers find new employment opportunities.

The grants, awarded under HUD’s FY 2012 Housing Choice Voucher-Family Self-Sufficiency (HCV-FSS) program, allow local entities to hire and retain employees who assist families receiving rental assistance in their search for new jobs. Grants to the Gary Housing Authority and Hammond Housing Authority will support one position for each.

City of Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson explained how essential HCV-FSS grants are to helping Gary residents find new opportunities. “Thanks to this HCV-FSS grant, our residents will have one more individual working on their behalf,” said Freeman-Wilson. “The position will help more Gary citizens secure stable employment, which enhances their quality of life.”

Maria Carmen Paniagua, Executive Director of the Hammond Housing Authority added that the funds would expand the reach of the Authority’s existing programming. “These additional funds will help us enhance the programs as well as service more families to become economically self sufficient through training as well as counseling," said Paniagua.

“I commend the work of the Gary Housing Authority and the Hammond Housing Authority to secure these grants,” said Congressman Visclosky. “The HUD awards granted to the Gary Housing Authority and Hammond Housing Authority will help Northwest Indiana’s job seekers find steady employment in difficult times and get back on their feet.”

The award to the Gary Housing Authority totals $50,900. The award to the Hammond Housing Authority totals $29,709.

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