For FHA families, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program provides Section 8 Rental Assistance recipients the chance to improve lives through job training, financial counseling, and educational and home ownership opportunities.

A voluntary five-year program, FSS provides residents with motivating guidance that enables them to move out of subsidized housing and into economic self-sufficiency. Working closely with The FHA FSS Coordinator, participants chart career goals, overcome barriers, and develop action plans. Families set and pursue goals related to continuing education, job training, money management, childcare and transportation. Key to the FSS Program is an interest-earning savings account that accumulates dollars as earned income increases. FSS families are able to use their escrow to purchase homes, pay off debts and help finance higher education.  

“The FSS program has been amazing,” notes one program participant, who adds, “The staff provides great support… It (FSS) has definitely helped change my life and my family’s future!”

In 2007, 31 FSS participants were enrolled, with three successfully graduating and two moving on to homeownership. To date, the FHA has assisted 13 families to achieve homeownership.

In 2008, the FHA seeks to extend benefits of the FSS Program to public housing residents with a grant for a new coordinator