Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)-Participant Guide

Participant Guide - Family Self-Sufficiency

Pdf Summary

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is designed to help low-income families achieve economic independence by increasing their earned income and reducing dependency on welfare assistance. Managed by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) owners, and other entities, the program coordinates the use of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance with public and private resources.<br /><br />The document outlines the essentials of establishing and managing an FSS program, which includes setting up an Action Plan, forming a Program Coordinating Committee, and executing contracts of participation for enrolled families. Each participating family has an Individual Training and Services Plan (ITSP) that lists goals such as gaining suitable employment and achieving independence from welfare assistance.<br /><br />Upon successful attainment of these goals, families can receive disbursements from an FSS escrow account, which accumulates credits from increases in earned income that consequently raise their rent. The document details who is eligible to manage the account and what happens to escrow funds should participants exit the program under different conditions.<br /><br />An integral part of FSS is Inter-agency collaboration, marketing, client recruitment, and case management, ensuring that families receive comprehensive support to meet their established goals. Moreover, the document presents different operational scenarios, including incentives for early withdrawals from escrow accounts, program monitoring, and the use of forfeited escrow funds for participants in good standing. <br /><br />Aside from aiding families directly, the program's successful execution hinges heavily on the responsible administration by PHAs and engagement with HUD requirements. This involves accurate reporting and compliance monitoring through systems like PIC/IMS and criteria such as the SEMAP for Section Eight Management Assessment, guiding PHAs in evaluating program effectiveness and ensuring they meet their mandated responsibilities.

Keywords

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

economic independence

Public Housing Agencies

Housing and Urban Development

Action Plan

Program Coordinating Committee

Individual Training and Services Plan

FSS escrow account

Inter-agency collaboration

SEMAP