LHAND program grads get $100G-plus grant

Lynn – With more than 100 graduates of the program purchasing homes, the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development has been awarded two federal grants totaling $107,426 to continue its Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program.FSS encourages communities to develop local strategies to help voucher families as well as public-housing residents obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Currently the staff at LHAND is working with 25 public-housing families and 19 housing-choice-voucher families to help achieve economic success. Of these participants, LHAND is holding in excess of $390,000 in escrow accounts for 30 families.FSS program coordinators meet with families to set their economic goals for the next five years. The coordinators then provide case management for the families, assisting them along the way with referrals to supportive services.”It is always nice to be able to work closely with families and to see them achieve their economic independence,” said LHAND Executive Director Charles Gaeta. “We have great staff and community collaboration working with our FSS program and we are fortunate to have the invaluable support of U.S. Rep. John Tierney.”