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On April 6, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Washington Housing Authority has been awarded a Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator grant totaling $239,250.  The funds will be used to cover the salary of one supportive service coordinator for the next three years.

The ROSS Service Coordinators help Washington’s public housing residents connect with employment and training, financial literacy services and educational opportunities, as well as health and wellness programs.

“We are excited to work with our local housing partners to help public housing residents find jobs and opportunities that will propel them forward,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The funding announced today will help residents reach their goals and dreams tomorrow.”

“I am so excited to bring this much needed resource to the residents of the Washington Housing Authority,” said WHA Executive Director Vanessa Dunn. “At this time, we have partnered with various community agencies in the City of Washington and Beaufort County to assist our residents enhance their overall quality of life, promote self-sufficiency and job stability. I am certain this position will make a positive impact on the lives of the residents we serve. This serves as another example of how we are so much more than housing.”

This is the first time WHA has received this particular grant. WHA is one of eight North Carolina housing authorities that received the grant.

The purpose of Washington Housing’s ROSS-SC program is to support local innovative strategies that link housing assistance with public and private resources to allow participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for governmental dependency and make progress towards achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

Washington Housing Authority was established in 1961. Washington Housing currently owns and operates 383 public housing units and administers 370 Housing Choice Vouchers.