Opportunity HomeGarners $2.3 Million Grant to Connect Residents to Higher Paying Jobs
April 28, 2021
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The Opportunity Home San Antonio (Opportunity Home) is the recipient of a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase employment opportunities at Lincoln Heights Courts, a public housing community on the near Westside and one of the largest in the city.
The grant funds a Jobs Plus Program, a one-on-one case management initiative to connect residents with local community organizations who offer a variety of services such as work-readiness training, employer linkages, financial counseling, educational advancement, job placement and employment counseling.
“The Jobs Plus program has proven to help families overcome barriers and achieve the economic stability they dream of,” said Ed Hinojosa, Jr., Opportunity Home Interim President and CEO.
“With the ongoing health and economic crisis, the program is especially important to our residents, and so we are grateful we now will have the financial resources to extend opportunities to many more.”
Once a resident chooses to participate in the program, Opportunity Home case managers will conduct a needs assessment, help the resident establish goals and coordinate services to help the resident reach their personal goals. The program aims to help families achieve self-sufficiency within five years to exit housing assistance.
Opportunity Home has administered two Jobs Plus Programs in San Antonio. Opportunity Home received a $2.5 million grant to launch the program at Alazan-Apache Courts and Mirasol Homes in 2011 and a $2.7 million grant to launch the program at Cassiano Homes in 2015.
“Providing resources so that public housing residents can achieve economic and housing stability is an important part of HUD’s mission,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “HUD is committed to empowering and working with our local partners to help residents reach their goals and uplift their families.”