Last week, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., announced a $120,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Pinellas County Housing Authority to ease the transition for Pinellas families receiving assistance that are trying to earn to work towards financial independence.
This funding will be administered by the Pinellas County Housing Authority as part of HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency program, which enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their need for housing subsidies over time. This program allows renters to build financial independence without losing assistance for a set period of time, so families no longer have to fear that earning more income will cause them to immediately lose their housing.
“For Pinellas families who qualify for housing assistance, finally having stable, affordable housing is a huge relief,” said Crist. “But for some working parents, it can also be a source of frustration where if you work hard to get back on your feet, you could lose everything. Families who need a hand should be able to gain their financial independence without being immediately kicked out of their homes. That’s why I’m announcing $120,000 in Family Self-Sufficiency grant funding, so that housing assistance in Pinellas can be a springboard instead of a trap. This proven program enables families to increase their earnings and savings, showing that work does pay!”
As a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Crist successfully secured $105 million in Fiscal Year 2021 for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Self-Sufficiency program.
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