CAMDEN, NJ – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Camden Mayor Frank Moran and Regional Administrator Lynne Patton, of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), announced that the Housing Authority of the City of Camden (HACC) will receive a $1.7 million grant from the HUD Jobs Plus program. 

"The best social program in the world is a good-paying job and the dignity that comes with it," said Congressman Donald Norcross. "These federal funds will go a long way to change lives and help transform neighborhoods in Camden. We are investing in our friends and neighbors by providing more employment, training and educational opportunities, and our local economy will be stronger as a result."

"Many of Camden’s public housing residents face obstacles to employment," said Camden Mayor Frank Moran. "We want them to know these obstacles are not insurmountable as support is available.  Through partnerships with our elected officials, HUD and the Camden Housing Authority, the Jobs Plus Initiative program provides our residents with the essential tools needed for work readiness. We urge residents to take full advantage of these resources in order to increase their earnings and employment opportunities."

HUD awarded a total of $14 million to seven Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) including $1.7 million to HACC. HUD’s Jobs Plus Initiative connects public housing residents with employment, training, education, and financial empowerment services to help individuals find and keep better paying jobs.  The program goal is to address poverty among public housing residents by reinforcing a culture of work and financial self-sufficiency.

"With this grant, the Camden Housing Authority will be able to increase local training and employment opportunities for community residents who want to transition into full-time living wage employment and self-sufficiency," said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. "Without a doubt, Jobs Plus is one of my all-time favorite HUD programs for which I advocate every chance I get. This funding will also help strengthen existing partnerships within the Camden Promise Zone initiative and continue to improve the lives of area residents."

HUD’s Jobs Plus Initiative combines traditional employment, training and job placement services with a rent incentive and a place-based investment in building “community support for work.” The program addresses poverty among public housing residents and creates a culture of work and make working families the norm.

The officials were joined by HUD Newark Field Office DirectorMaria Maio-Messano, Camden City Council Members, HACC Chairperson Deborah Person-Polk, HACC Executive Director Victor D. Figueroa & President of Ablett Village Resident Association Tracey Powell at a press conference today.

"We are very excited for the residents of Ablett Village in being awarded the Jobs Plus Grant," said Victor D. Figueroa, HACC Executive Director. "Our goal is to transition unemployed and under-employed Ablett Village residents into full-time New Jersey earners with meaningful wages through open career path opportunities with health benefits."

Jobs Plus services are tailored to residents’ individual needs and are drawn from a menu of on-site and referral services. For unemployed residents, case managers will help identify short and long-term employment goals and create plans to accomplish them.  Employed individuals can work with case managers to take the necessary steps to advance in the labor market.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov