Family Self Sufficiency
Family Self Sufficiency
Family Self Sufficiency
What is the FSS Program?
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is a HUD program that encourages communities to develop local strategies to help participating families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) work with social service agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage.
Family Self Sufficiency
What is the FSS Program?
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is a HUD program that encourages communities to develop local strategies to help participating families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) work with social service agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage.
What We Do
FSS program supportive services may include, but are not limited to, assisting clients to overcome challenges with:
- Transportation
- Education
- Job training and employment counseling
- US citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Substance/alcohol abuse treatment and/or counseling
- Household skills training
- Homeownership counseling
- Credit counseling
What We Do
FSS program supportive services may include, but are not limited to, assisting clients to overcome challenges with:
- Transportation
- Education
- Job training and employment counseling
- US citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Substance/alcohol abuse treatment and/or counseling
- Household skills training
- Homeownership counseling
- Credit counseling
Earning Money
An interest-bearing escrow account is established by the PHA for each participating family. An escrow credit, based on increases in earned income of the family, is credited to this account by the PHA during the term of the FSS contract. The PHA may make a portion of this escrow account available to the family during the term of the contract to enable the family to complete an interim goal such as education. If the head of household accomplishes all of their goals, is employed at the end of the program, and has been TANF-free for 12 consecutive months, then the amount of the escrow account is paid to the head of household. The family can also graduate and receive the accumulated escrow if 30% of the monthly adjusted income is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Rent for the voucher or the unit the family is entitled to. If the PHA terminates the family’s FSS contract or if the family fails to complete the contract before its expiration, the family’s escrow funds will be forfeited.
Earning Money
An interest-bearing escrow account is established by the PHA for each participating family. An escrow credit, based on increases in earned income of the family, is credited to this account by the PHA during the term of the FSS contract. The PHA may make a portion of this escrow account available to the family during the term of the contract to enable the family to complete an interim goal such as education. If the head of household accomplishes all of their goals, is employed at the end of the program, and has been TANF-free for 12 consecutive months, then the amount of the escrow account is paid to the head of household. The family can also graduate and receive the accumulated escrow if 30% of the monthly adjusted income is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Rent for the voucher or the unit the family is entitled to. If the PHA terminates the family’s FSS contract or if the family fails to complete the contract before its expiration, the family’s escrow funds will be forfeited.
