Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS )Program

Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program established in 1990 by Section 554 of the National Affordable Housing Act. FSS encourages communities to develop local strategies to help assisted families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) work with 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.

The objective of the FSS program is to reduce the dependency of families currently residing in public housing or receiving rental assistance through Federal, State, or local subsidies. Families participating in the FSS program are provided opportunities for education, job training, counseling, and other forms of social service assistance to obtain the education, employment, and business and social skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. The success of FSS families is measured by the number of FSS families who, as a result of participation in the program, have family members who obtain their first job, or who obtain higher paying jobs; no longer need benefits from one or more welfare programs; obtain a high school diploma or higher education degree; or accomplish similar goals that will assist the family in obtaining economic independence. Ultimately, FSS families will have an opportunity to own their own home.

FSS Program provides education, job training & employment counseling, household skill training, entrepreneurial training, budget counseling, and homeownership counseling. Families who receive HUD assistance under the Public Housing or Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs are eligible to participate in the FSS program. The West Palm Beach Housing Authority establishes a FSS program coordinating committee and develops a FSS action plan. This committee oversees the overall implementation of the FSS program.

Families who are eligible to participate in FSS should contact the Housing Authority’s FSS coordinator to discuss the participation in the FSS program.

The FSS program is available to all families receiving public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance programs. Applicants will be put on a waiting list and the PHA’s may screen applicants for interest and motivation to participate but may not screen for education, job history, credit rating, marital status or number of children.

FSS Escrow Account

A FSS escrow account is established by the West Palm Beach Housing Authority for each participating family. An escrow credit which is based on the increase in rent due to an increase in wages is credited to the account during the term of the FSS contract. At the discretion of the Authority, a portion of the escrow account may be made available to complete an interim goal such as education. If the FSS participant completes the contract, meet their objective and no member of the family is receiving welfare, the balance in the Escrow account is provided to the Head of the family towards the purchase of the home. If the Housing Authority terminates the FSS contract, or if the FSS participant fails to complete the contract and meet their objective, the family FSS escrow funds are no longer available.

The WPBHA and the head of each participating family execute a FSS Contract of participation that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The 5-year FSS contract specifies goals and services for each family. Family members must fulfill all requirements in order to obtain full benefits. The FSS contract requires that the family comply with the lease, that all family members become independent of welfare, and the head of the family seek and maintain suitable employment. Possible sanctions for noncompliance with the FSS contract are termination from the FSS program, forfeiture of the FSS escrow account, withholding or termination of supportive services, and termination of housing assistance. Participation of families in the FSS program is voluntary and cannot be a condition of receiving HUD-assisted housing.