Lynn gets federal housing dollars

LYNN – Lynn was among four North Shore communities to receive federal housing funds Wednesday to boost its family self-sufficiency programs.U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney announced the grants, totaling $200,821 to housing authorities in Lynn, Wakefield, Gloucester and North Andover.Olivia Lyons, grants manager for the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND), said the funds allow residents currently in public housing and leased-housing programs “to gain access to the tools they need to increase their economic self-sufficiency.”The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) was established to help housing authorities develop local strategies, ensuring the best use of funding under the Housing Choice Voucher programs.”Many of the graduates of the FSS programs graduate and become first time homebuyers n realizing their goal and providing a home for their families,” Lyons said.For instance, the Housing Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program was designed to provide grants to public housing agencies, resident associations and non-profit groups, including grassroots, faith-based and other community-based organizations.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant money was made available for these supportive services, for resident empowerment activities and to assist residents in attaining economic freedom.The grants can also be used to provide resources to help elderly residents and residents with disabilities to live independently.”Ensuring that disabled, elderly and those suffering from economic hardship have housing and support services that meet their needs and allow them to live independently is vitally important,” said Tierney. “These grants will allow housing authorities to assist those citizens who most need help.”Bill Dugan, executive director for the Gloucester Housing Authority, said the self-sufficiency grant improves the employability of certain family members, increases their earnings, and allows them to pursue a career or other goal.”Under the program, we contribute funds to an escrow account equal to any increase in a family’s share of the rent as their income rises,” he said. “In the past two years, we have seen three families graduate from the program with two of them buying homes with their escrow funds. Last year, five people achieved educational goals; 15 improved their credit and 13 improved their economic status through better paying jobs.”In Wakefield, where the housing authority implemented an FSS program in 1993, 24 families have completed their FSS contracts and two have purchased a home.