HOGANSBURG -- A $199,768 grant in federal Housing and Urban Development funding through a Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program will go to the Akwesasne Housing Authority.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who represents the 21st District which includes St. Lawrence County, announced the funding grant Tuesday, Feb. 25.

The ROSS program promotes the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance within the Public Housing program for supportive services and resident empowerment activities, said a press release from the Stefanik’s office.

These services enable families to increase their income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, achieve economic independence and housing self-sufficiency, improve living conditions, and enable residents to age-in-place, the press release said.

“I’m excited to announce nearly $200,000 in HUD funding for the Akwesasne Housing Authority in Hogansburg,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This grant funding will enable hardworking families to make real progress in obtaining self-sufficiency and providing for their families. I’m honored to be the number one advocate for both rural and urban development in the North Country, and for creating opportunity to thrive for each of my constituents that I have the privilege of representing in Congress.”

“This is exciting news for the Akwesasne Housing Authority," said Theresa Cole, tribal grant coordinator.

"This is the third time we’ve applied for the grant; the ROSS coordinator position was established in 2012 and was reauthorized in 2015,” Cole said. “When the program ended in 2018 we were in the middle of the supportive housing project and missed the deadline. This grant award will allow us to continue the delivery of relevant supportive housing services to our elderly and disabled residents at Sunrise Acres. This will enable our elders to age-in-place and maintain their independence. We are very pleased to be able to continue these services through the funding in this grant.”