Four women beat the odds and achieve economic independence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 5, 2004 -- Nothing could keep these women down. Between attending school, working part-time or full-time jobs, taking care of a family and struggling to make ends meet while living in public housing, Chileshe Chipamata, Cecilia Ledesma, Barbara Martinez and Patricia Martinez decided to take control of their lives.

These four women who have moved out of public housing are the 2004 graduates of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin�s Family Self-Sufficiency Program and will be honored at this year�s banquet.

Established in 1993, the program has graduated 32 HACA residents, helping both Housing Choice Voucher and public housing tenants achieve economic independence. Staff works with program participants and helps them to identify a five-year plan documenting their personal and professional goals.

One of the most unique aspects of the program is the escrow savings account. As FSS members� rent increases due to earning higher wages, a portion of the rent is matched by the FSS Program and credited monthly to an escrow account. After achieving their goals and being welfare-free for 12 consecutive months, members are eligible to receive the escrow money. Current FSS participants have a combined escrow balance of over $233,000.

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Austin Marriott at the Capitol, located at 701 E. 11th St.

WHAT ELSE: The Housing Authority of the City of Austin is a public agency whose business is to ensure that safe, quality affordable housing opportunities exist for families of low income; break the poverty cycle by serving as a catalyst for our residents to become economically self-sufficient; create meaningful partnerships to maximize available community resources for our residents; and efficiently and effectively meet federal, state and local mandates. For more information, please visit www.hacanet.org.