JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than $2 million in federal money is now available for people in Jacksonville looking to make a better life for themselves.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that the Jacksonville Housing Authority was the recipient of a $2.3 million grant as part of the Jobs Plus program.
The goal of the program is to lift up the community through job training, job placement and hopefully a path to home ownership.
"We're pleased to award the Housing Authority of Jacksonville $2.3 million to lift 330 families who life here into self sufficiency," said HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is one of 14 housing authorities across the country to receive federal funding from HUD for the Jobs Plus Initiative Program. A total of $31 million was distributed to the 14 housing authorities in 12 different states.
"It's our mission to build our city where every one of our citizens have the opportunity to thrive," said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.
This is the second time that the Jacksonville Housing Authority received this type of grant, which funds educational programs for people who live in public housing to pursue their GED or professional degrees.
"This is a big deal," said Deegan, "this is a lot of money and it's going to create a lot of good for our citizens. There isn't much that is more important than ensuring that our citizens have a place to live and the dignity of work."
Lineshia Bryant is a single mom who says she was able to support her three children through the programs of Jobs Plus.
"It feels good being that I got a CNA," Bryant said, "it motivated me to go into the LPN program to try to provide a better life for my kids, it's very satisfying."
Jobs Plus offers multiple programs for people who live in public housing ranging from resume review, job placement guidance and credit building workshops. Bryant said she was able to use funding through the program to pay for her education as a nurse, which she hopes will allow her to earn enough money to move out of public housing and one day become a home owner.
"It really helped me become the mom I am for my kids so I could provide a stable household for them," said Bryant.
Programs through the Jobs Plus Initiative Program are available to anyone in Jacksonville who lives in public housing.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to accept this award on behalf of the Jacksonville Housing Authority,” said JHA Acting CEO Vanessa Dunn. “This award allows us to continue our work of incentivizing and enabling our residents to gain important job skills that will help lift them out of public housing and into employment and home ownership.”
More information about Jobs Plus can be found here.
You can call the Jacksonville Housing Authority at 904-630-3810 or by visiting jaxha.org.