GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 5, 2019—Residents living in Gainesville public housing will be moving higher up on the list for employers seeking talented, skilled workers thanks to a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Gainesville Housing Authority is one of only four public housing authorities in the nation to be awarded a HUD Jobs Plus Initiative Grant.

The grant will help as many as 100 qualifying public housing residents find steady work through job training and placement services. Jobs Plus also recognizes the broader reality facing Gainesville’s underemployed citizens by providing child care services and guaranteeing current rent levels for four years.

“This will be a game-changer,” says GHA Executive Director Pamela E. Davis. “The Jobs Plus Initiative is the winning combination to ensure economic empowerment and sustainability for our low-income residents. The support and financial incentive is a major motivator.”

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe agrees. “This award confirms what we in Gainesville already know.” observes Poe. “Give our residents a fair chance and they’ll take care of the rest.”

“Our goal is to help build a culture of employment,” says Frank Avery, Executive Director of CareerSource North Central Florida. “We are excited to partner with GHA through this program which addresses poverty by incentivizing and enabling employment for families using our job placement and counseling services, education advancement and financial literacy. That’s money wisely invested.”

“Full-time employment will be a godsend for Jobs Plus participants,” added Santa Fe College Coordinator of Academic and Student Services Andrew Anderson. “GHA residents will have wrap around support throughout the four years of this program with every opportunity to succeed.”

To learn more about how the GHA is planning to change the game for Gainesville’s public housing residents, please contact Pamela E. Davis at 352.872.5500 or email at pamelad@gnvha.org.

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About Gainesville Housing Authority

Founded in 1966, the Gainesville Housing Authority provides affordable housing for eligible individuals and families, and advocates for fair and affordable housing throughout Gainesville.