HUD grant awarded to local Area Housing Authority

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that the Ventura County Area Housing Authority is one of six California agencies to be awarded the 2007 Resident Occupancy Self-Sufficiency grant.

A total of $1.8 million was awarded to California agencies for programs to help low-income elderly and disabled households to become more self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on government programs. The local Area Housing Authority was awarded $250,000.

"These funds will provide health, nutrition and assistance programs to help seniors maintain their independence," said Douglas Tapking, head of the housing agency.

The HUD grant process is highly competitive, and only those agencies with established records of high performance were awarded funds. The grant program provides funding to link elderly and disabled residents to critical services that can help them continue to live independently.