Chicago is receiving stimulus funds to help find green jobs for public housing residents.

The city has been awarded close to $700,000 from the federal labor department.

About 150 public housing residents will go through the program. It will train them in weatherization and climate-change related jobs.

Maria Hibbs is of the Partnerships for New Communities, the nonprofit administering the grant.

HIBBS: The green economy offers tremendous opportunities for people of varying skill levels and help people prepare for jobs – a lot of jobs that will be available in the future.

Several cities won funds for green initiatives. Hibbs says Chicago is the only one to earmark its program for public housing residents.

Planners hope that will lead to 100 full-time jobs in the growing green industry. Recruiting for the program begins this spring.