FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 9, 2006

Contact:
Natashia Elstad, Media Relations Specialist
(512) 477-4488 x2117
natashiae@hacanet.org

BREAKING THE POVERTY CYCLE
HACA’s Family Self- Sufficiency and Homeownership Banquet honors economic independence

WHAT: Austin, TX, (October 9, 2006) Miriam Segovia, a 17 year resident of Booker T. Washington, is shattering the stereotype of a public housing resident.

Segovia moved to the U.S. from El Salvador when she was a teenager and did not speak any English. To create a better life for herself and her three children, Segovia became fluent in English, took college courses and is now employed full-time as a certified nurse's assistant. She realized her final goal when she achieved homeownership.

Segovia is one of 15 graduates being honored at the Housing Authority of the City of Austin's Ninth Annual Family Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership Banquet.

Each honoree has a unique life story to tell, with a common denominator of economic independence. This year's graduates have received a total of $117,422 in escrow and $70,000 toward homeownership.

This year’s banquet will be held at the Omni Austin Hotel Southpark on Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m.

About the FSS program
As FSS members invest in themselves, so does HACA. An escrow account, which pays out upon graduation, is a method for residents to achieve their dreams. Funds have allowed residents to purchase homes, graduate from college and start businesses.

About the Homeownership program
HACA's Homeownership program counsels residents through the home buying process and assists with overcoming financial barriers. Once the resident is approved for funding, HACA contributes $10,000 toward the down payment of a home.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 6:30p.m.

WHERE: Omni Austin Southpark Hotel

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.

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