BANGOR — Two Maine public housing agencies have been awarded a combined $494,592 in federal funding.

Sen. Susan Collins announced Tuesday that the money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Grant program, or ROSS, will go towards hiring and maintaining service coordinators who will help Mainers living in public housing in Presque Isle and in Bangor. 

“The dedicated staff at housing authorities throughout Maine work hard to link seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families with an array of programs to improve living conditions and achieve economic independence,” said Collins. “This funding will allow the Bangor and Presque Isle Housing Authorities to retain service coordinators who connect residents of public housing with supportive services and training.”

The Bangor Housing Authority said the coordinator will help low-income residents become more self-sufficient by connecting them with things like education, employment and support services.  

“We did a survey last fall and the number one concerns residents had were the cost of living, income, and financial insecurity,” said Elizabeth Marsh, director of resident services for Bangor Housing. “So, the ROSS coordinator position will help us to offer services and connect them with resources to meet their needs.”

Marsh said the funding will help to add to existing services. 

“We have a program called FSS (Family Self-Sufficiency), and we’re able to hire coaches that work with residents and help them set goals and overcome barriers,” said Marsh. “The ROSS program allows us to enhance and build on that program and offer more services and more resources to residents. So, we’re really excited about it because this will allow us to have an additional coordinator to work with residents, especially the ones that aren’t in our FSS program.”

Marsh said the funding will begin in July. 

The Bangor Housing Authority will receive $245,442 while the Presque Isle Housing Authority will receive $249,150.

“The coordinator is able to provide resources to residents and try to help them meet their needs and overcome barriers,” said Marsh. “The ROSS coordinator position allows us to offer support to residents in achieving their goals of self-sufficiency.”