Cohen Helps Launch $3 Million Foote Homes Pilot Program to Employ Memphians

Congressman also announces nearly $700,000 for public housing in the Ninth District

MEMPHIS, TN – April 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today joined Mayor A C Wharton and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) General Deputy Assistant Secretary Jemine Bryon to announce a $3 million federal grant that will fund a pilot program to enroll nearly 300 Memphians at Foote Homes in job training and other programs, ultimately placing at least 60 of them in good-paying jobs in Shelby County. The funding for the pilot program comes through HUD’s Jobs-plus Community Revitalization Initiative, a program that Congressman Cohen voted for in the House that is aimed at significantly increasing employment and income of public housing residents.

“Throughout my career I have remained committed to creating jobs and reducing poverty in Memphis and throughout the Ninth District,” said Congressman Cohen. “Today’s infusion of $3 million for Foote Homes will have a real impact in our community, helping nearly 300 Memphians learn the skills they need to find good-paying jobs—a key component of reducing persistent poverty. I was proud to support the legislation that funded this pilot program and will continue my efforts to bring jobs to Memphis.”

This pilot program will be implemented locally, with Foote Homes residents playing a central role in designing and managing elements of the program. The $3 million in federal funding will be leveraged by more than $13 million in pledges from non-federal partners, including the Memphis Housing Authority, the Workforce Investment Network (WIN), the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, the RISE Foundation, Memphis Bioworks Foundation, LeMoyne-Owen College, and the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association. The 4-year pilot program aims to enroll 291 participants and place a minimum of 60 of these adults in employment. Other participants will achieve gains in employability/skills, such as completing their GED or increasing their literacy/numeracy skills, completing job training, and/or completing a financial literacy program.

HUD’s Jobs-Plus initiative provides intensive, employment-focused programs targeting every able-bodied, working-age welfare recipient at public housing developments. The initiative is also a response to new national policies, such as time-limited welfare and cuts in public housing subsidies that endanger the ability of public housing residents to pay rent. Congressman Cohen also announced today that the Memphis Housing Authority will receive a $679,770 operating subsidy grant and the Millington Housing Authority will receive a $15,668 operating subsidy grant. This funding comes through HUD’s Operating Subsidy program, which helps local public housing agencies cover costs associated with the operation and management of public housing facilities.