A federal grant has been awarded to the Danbury Housing Authority.  $52,500 dollars will support the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.  It enables residents to earn income and reduce or eliminate their need for rental or welfare assistance.  The funding is part of a larger pool of money sent to Connecticut public housing authorities from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Participants in the program sign a five-year contract requiring the head of the household to set specific goals and achievements.  An interest-bearing escrow account is set up for residents to access when they complete the program, which can be used to pay educational expenses or make a down payment on a home.