January 07, 2014

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding to Help Families in Need Find Employment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced more than $227,300 in federal funding to help families who are receiving vouchers find employment that pays a living wage and leads to economic independence.

“As West Virginians, we understand the importance of supporting those in our community who have fallen on hard times,” Manchin said. “We should do all we can to make sure that our neighbors have the resources they need to get back on their feet, contribute to their communities and provide for their families. These funds will help West Virginians who are struggling with unemployment gain the skills and training to find good-paying jobs and become self-sufficient.”

“In order for West Virginians who are facing difficult times to have a fighting chance at long-term fiscal stability, it is imperative that we provide them with access to job training and employment opportunities in their communities,” said Rockefeller. “This funding from HUD empowers those looking for work by helping them gain the skills necessary to become employed and on a path to financial independence.”

“West Virginians are proud workers and have made great sacrifices to care for their loved ones. Programs like these help families struggling with tough times to get back on the path to financial stability and economic independence,” said Rahall. “Every family we help to find safe, secure housing, and every breadwinner we enable to earn a living wage strengthens our neighborhoods and sustains our business communities in the long run.”

The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Family Self-sufficiency (FSS) program, which aims to find employment for voucher families through local community partnerships. Public housing agencies work with schools, businesses, welfare agencies and other local partners to develop a plan to provide families with the skills needed to find employment and become economically independent.

Below are the individual award amounts:

$36,462—Parkersburg Housing Authority
$36,338—Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority
$35,175—Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority
$33,920—Housing Authority of Mingo County
$33,455—Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority
$29,678—Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority
$22,353—Randolph County Housing Authority

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