WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal housing grants totaling $72,921 have been awarded to two agencies in Oswego County, Rep. John M. McHugh (R-NY) announced today. The City of Fulton Community Development Agency will receive $29,621, while $45,300 is being directed to the City of Oswego Community Development Office.

The awards come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, which helps families that receive federal housing assistance achieve economic independence through job stability and, in some cases, even become homeowners. The funds can be used to help pay the salary of housing program coordinators.

“I am pleased that these two worthy organizations are receiving additional federal support for the good work they do,” McHugh said. “Programs such as this one provide important tools to help our residents become more independent.”

FSS is a HUD program that encourages communities to develop local strategies to help voucher families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public housing agencies work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage. A separate program, the public housing FSS program, is available for public housing residents.