Lucas Metropolitan Housing Awarded HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program Grant in the amount of $249,673.

Toledo, Ohio, December 30, 2021- Joaquin Cintron Vega, President and CEO of Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH), has announced that the agency has been awarded a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Grant for FY21.    The funding is given to public housing authorities so that they can administer the FSS program and pay the salaries of the FSS program coordinators. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies with the help of the training they receive from the FSS program.

Rachel Gagnon, LMH Chief of Staff, stated, "True to our mission, the FSS program allows us to support each individual and family we work with in becoming their best selves. We know that by creating pathways for an improved quality of life and self-sufficiency we can, in turn, collectively achieve a strong, vibrant community. We are grateful to HUD for this opportunity, and we celebrate those who will achieve so much because of their hard work in the program."

LMH has four FSS coordinators funded by this program who are currently working with 188 active participants.

"Since 2018, LMH has proudly watched over 70 participants graduate from this program and make better lives for themselves by either improving their level of educational attainment, improving their credit scores, saving for a home or by becoming homeowners. We look forward to seeing this number grow in 2022," stated Libby Schoen, Vice President of Resident Services.

Some of the most immediate needs of LMH's residents that are supported by the program include but are not limited to:

• Access to educational and credentialing programs to encourage skill development
• Worker readiness, job training, job placement, and job retention services
• Access to affordable daycare facilities
• Financial literacy and planning services
• Mobility counseling and housing search assistance for voucher holders
• More affordable housing in safe neighborhoods that also have employment opportunities and community amenities

"Lucas Metropolitan Housing is excited to be selected again for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2021 Family Self Sufficiency Program award," said Meta Lim, Vice President of Housing Choice Voucher Programs. "The FSS program provides participants with one-on-one case management services and linkage to vital support. It fosters upward mobility and assists families achieve economic and personal self-sufficiency."  

About Lucas Metropolitan Housing

Established in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Mixed-Income and Market Rate housing units. LMH also provides a myriad of programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for our residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The programs and services are the results of successful collaborations with numerous community partners.

Our current housing portfolio consists of 2,633 Public Housing units; 4,657 Housing Choice Vouchers; 322 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units; 198 Market Rate units and 107 Homeownership Properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside in LMH properties. Lucas Metropolitan Housing partners with ALL people and organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to enhance Toledo, Lucas County and the world.