PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to help public housing residents increase their earned income and financial independence, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced a $2,999,608 federal “Jobs Plus” grant to help connect Hartford Park and Manton Heights residents with job training, work readiness, and employment placement services.

The Providence Housing Authority (PHA) is one of only six housing agencies across the country to receive a competitive grant through the Jobs Plus program in fiscal year 2016.  The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This federal funding will support the PHA’s effort to implement the Jobs Plus Providence (JPP) initiative at the Hartford Park and Manton Heights family housing developments. 

The JPP program will build upon and expand the PHA’s past successes with strengthening families and promoting financial self-sufficiency in their community.  The new Jobs Plus Providence initiative will provide the residents of Hartford Park and Manton Heights a comprehensive program designed specifically to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes.  Over a four year period, this target population will be offered the core components of JPP, which are: financial services, employment-related services, and community supports for work.

The PHA has established long-standing collaborations with valuable partners who have aligned missions to support low-income families.  Job training agencies such as the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, NetworkRI, Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston, and Building Futures will implement workforce development strategies to help the unemployed address barriers to employment and secure jobs in five industry sectors.  An extensive network of community based partners will deliver a myriad of supportive services to public housing residents on the path to employment and financial independence. 

“This will help empower residents at Hartford Park and Manton Heights to pursue job opportunities that can increase their earning potential and lead to sustainable careers.  By helping individuals gain marketable skills and increase their earnings, this program can help uplift the neighborhood.  I commend the Providence Housing Authority for putting together a competitive application and I appreciate Secretary Castro and everyone who worked to launch the Jobs Plus program,” said Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee, which oversees federal spending for HUD programs.

“The PHA is excited and eager to bring the Jobs Plus initiative to Providence as it will offer public housing families an important opportunity to increase and sustain their level of employment and earnings,” said Providence Housing Authority Executive Director Paul J. Tavares.  “The funding from HUD’s Jobs Plus program will support a comprehensive and well-coordinated effort among committed agencies and public housing mentors to create a positive impact on our community and local economy.” 

Last month, Senator Reed brought HUD Secretary Julián Castro to Hartford Park to meet with public housing officials and local and state leaders.

Senator Reed helped secure funding to launch the Jobs Plus pilot program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014.  

The HUD program promotes economic empowerment in low-income areas by providing funding to select public housing agencies nationwide that develop local approaches to incentivize public housing residents to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes, such as work readiness, employer linkages, job placement and counseling, educational advancement and financial literacy counseling.