Congressman Henry Cuellar today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $239,152 in Housing Choice Voucher - Family Self-Sufficiency grants to south Texas housing authorities.

The grants included $97,853 for the San Antonio Housing Authority, $59,600 for the Pharr Housing Authority, $44,608 for the Laredo Housing Authority, and $37,091 for the Hidalgo County Housing Authority.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that 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.

Among the services that FSS provides are child care, transportation, education, job training and employment counseling, substance/alcohol abuse treatment or counseling, household skill training, and homeownership counseling.

"Congratulations to the San Antonio Housing Authority on this well-deserved grant," said Congressman Cuellar.  "In these tough economic times, these funds will help Texas families find good jobs and stay in their homes."

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