WASHINGTON – Eight separate housing authorities throughout the state will receive a total of $420,837 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.

“For low-income families throughout the state, there is perhaps no greater goal than achieving self-sufficiency through independent housing,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement announcing the funding. “These grants will help housing authorities throughout the state advance this goal.”

Grants are funded through HUD’s Rental Certificate-Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program, designed to promote development of local strategies to coordinate use of the program. Using rental certificates or housing vouchers under this program, participating families can achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency, they said.

Agencies receiving funding in today’s announcements are:

. Maine State Housing Authority, Augusta – $45,481.

. Augusta Housing Authority – $24,500.

. Bangor Housing Authority – $37,795.

. Housing Authority of the City of Brewer – $173,791.

. City of Caribou Housing Authority – $25,000.

. Mount Desert Housing Authority – $34,951.

. Portland Housing Authority – $44,800.

. Westbrook Housing Authority – $34,519.