Philadelphia Organizations Receive Over $1 Million to Assist Low Income Families

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) announced two Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling more than  $1.25 million to help struggling families enjoy healthier lifestyles and move out of poverty.

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The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania was awarded $500,000 to implement a program that will match contributions from low-income families to Individual Development Accounts up to $8 for every dollar a family saves.  The match will combine Federal and non federal funds by the Assets Fund Initiative project.

Fattah said, "This program is a win because it allows families the opportunity to use their savings, including the matching funds, to buy their first home, fund a small business or enroll in college or other educational training.  We're providing a ladder out of poverty that benefits the entire community."

The Department also awarded Philadelphia's Reinvest Fund a $759,374 grant for its Healthy Food Financing Initiative.  The initiative – a joint venture between the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Treasury - brings grocery stores and other healthy food retailers to urban and rural communities where fresh fruits and vegetables are a rarity.

Fattah said, "We've seen the many-fold successes of this program, bringing much-needed economic development to hard-hit neighborhoods, providing access to quality fresh foods and building more livable communities.  These public-private ventures, working with cross-agency collaboration show the power of partnerships in improving our communities."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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