Tester Secures Funding for Job Training in Missoula, Butte, Fort Peck

Senator Uses Seat on Housing Committee to Obtain Grants for Montana

(Bozeman, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced a grant for Missoula, Butte and Fort Peck’s Housing Authorities to help provide high-quality, job training to Montanans living in public housing.

The grants come as part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Grant Program, which provides funding to hire service coordinators who coordinate public and private resources for supportive services to promote independence.

“These grants will improve living conditions for hundreds of Montanans, including folks in Missoula,” said Tester, Montana’s only member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. “Every person deserves a roof over their head and the satisfaction of a good day’s work. Affordable housing and quality job training provides economic security for families and empowers them to succeed.”

The HUD grants will provide $246,000 for Missoula Housing Authority, $129,652 for Butte Public Housing Authority, and $217,500 for Fort Peck Housing Authority.

“This grant allows us to continue assisting our people and programs of the Fort Peck Reservation to become more effective and sustainable in their everyday activities,” said Dr. Robin Bighorn, Executive Director of the Fort Peck Housing Authority. “I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Tester and his staff for their efforts.”

Tester has been a champion of affordable housing and community development in Montana. Last year, he secured a $11.3 million grant to support housing programs across the state.

Last December, Tester demanded HUD provide more resources to Montana, following a report that homelessness was on the rise.