The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a career development program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that helps individuals who receive housing subsidies make progress toward economic independence.

FSS, which is administered locally by the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependence on welfare assistance and rental subsidies over a five-year period.

An interest-bearing escrow account is established for each participating family. Any increase in the family’s rent as a result of increased earned income during the family’s participation in the program results in a credit to the family’s escrow account. Once a family graduates from the program, they may access the escrow and use it for any purpose.

Although there are no HUD restrictions on the use of the escrow funds, all graduates are encouraged to use their FSS escrow funds to purchase a home, for education, to start a small business or another purpose that will assist them toward economic self-sufficiency.

The FSS program offers a wide variety of services to help participants reach their goals:

• Employment skills assessment and training, goal planning and mentoring
• Resources to gain and enhance job skills, including training and education to increase marketability for employment
• Assistance with establishing individual savings accounts
• Case management to assist with resource connection, coaching and advocacy
• Financial literacy workshops to assist with money management, budgeting and credit repair and restoration
• Assistance with pursuing homeownership goals
• Transportation Assistance
• Financial Assistance
• Legal Assistance
• Food Assistance
• Furniture & Clothing
• Childcare and Parenting Resources
• Health Services
• Mental Health, Substance and Domestic Abuse Services
• Housing Stabilization (Emergency Services); and
• Homeownership Programs

For more information on FSS, contact: FSSRSVP@hocmc.org