Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a program that enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.

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Once an eligible family is selected to participate in the program, the PHA, and the head of each participating family execute a FSS Contract of Participation that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The term of the FSS contract is generally 5 years, but it may be extended for another 2 years by the PHA for good cause.

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The FSS contract also incorporates the family’s individual training and services plan (ITSP). The ITSP is the document that records the plan for the family. That is, the series of intermediate and long-term goals and the steps the family needs to take – and the services and resources they may need to access – to achieve those goals.” 

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Who Is Eligible?

Head of household Section 8 participants who are interested in obtaining more education and job training to free their family from public assistance.

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What Services Are Available?

Savings & Escrow Development

Budgeting

• Education

• Career/Vocational Counseling

• Job Training, Job Search and Job Retention Skills

• Communication Skills

• Building Self Esteem

• Time Management

 

How does the FSS Program Work?

A Training and Services Plan is created with each FSS Participant stating the specific steps and goals the client will meet in order to successfully complete the Contract of Participation. After the barriers have been addressed and education and training have been completed, an essential component of the Training and Service Plan will be for the FSS Participant to seek, acquire and maintain employment.

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How Does the Escrow Work?

As an FSS Participant becomes more successful and their earned income increases, their rent will increase as well. However, the increase is set-aside in an interest bearing account on behalf of the participant. Interim withdrawals from this account are allowed to offset expenses related to achieving self sufficiency such as education expenses, credit repair, transportation, etc. Upon the successful completion of the FSS Program, the client will receive the balance of their escrow to complete their journey to self sufficiency.

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Many of our FSS graduates have fulfilled life-long goals that they otherwise would not have been able to achieve!  Enroll in FSS and receive top quality case management and services for your entire family including access to education, job training, childcare, transportation and much more. While you are preparing to become self sufficient, watch as your escrow grows and builds a nest egg for you and your family! Many of our graduates have gone on to purchase their first home, or to realize a dream of starting their own business.

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