FSS Program

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of FSS is:

1.) To support Families to become self-sufficient and go off all governmental assistance.

2.) To look at strategies for assisting families to becoming self sufficient

3.) Overall goal is that as families go off housing, others can benefit and come into housing.

STATISTICS (as of September 2005):

	307 participants are currently enrolled in the program.
	Amount in Escrow: $2,069,172 (89% of all FSS families currently have escrow accounts)
	496 participants have successfully completed their five-year contract.
	Amount of Escrow given to successful families since the beginning of the program: $5,096,060
	Number of successful FSS graduates who purchased a home when they left the program: 77

THE PROGRAM:

	FSS is a five (5)-year voluntary program
	Open to all heads of household that are currently participating in Section 8 or Conventional Public Housing (except Mod Rehab or Project-based).
	The objective of the Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program is to assist low-income families to become economically independent of all forms of government assistance, including TANF, cash grants, Food stamps, and housing assistance.

NOTE: Going off of housing assistance is a goal, not a program requirement. Housing assistance will not be lost by choosing to participate in the FSS Program. It is possible to complete the 5-year program and continue to benefit from subsidized housing.

THE BENEFITS OF FSS PARTICIPATION:

An escrow account is by far the most popular and most attractive benefit. After a family joins FSS, as the family’s earned income increases, a savings or escrow account is established.

How it works:

Annually, participants are recertified if income decreases or if the participant requests it. The rent goes up or down depending on the family’s income circumstances. After joining the program, when the rent increases due to earned income increasing, the tenant is recertified, and a savings account is set up and the amount of the rent increase will be matched by HUD proportionately to the earned income.

Rent can increase due to other income sources such as:

	Child support
	AFDC benefits
	Unemployment Benefits
	Workman’s Compensation
	Social Security disability
	Ssi
	Landlord increasing rent

NOTE: Escrow will not be affected by any of the items listed above, as they are not sources of earned income.

WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE MONEY?

It can be used in any way:

	As capital to start their own business.
	To start a college fund for their children.
	As a down-payment toward the purchase of a home.

WHAT ARE OTHER BENEFITS?

	Tenant Meetings
	Scholarships
	FSS Newsletter
	Project Incentive

COMMITMENT

What is your commitment?

	Seek and maintain employment
	Develop a five year goal plan
	Attend annual reviews of their plan
	Remain off welfare assistance 12 months prior to going off FSS to get the escrow money
	Follow routine Section 8 rules

For more information Contact: Community Services 993-4200.