What is the HCV family self-sufficiency
(FSS) Program?
Family self-sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that encourages communities
to develop local strategies to help voucher families obtain employment
that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public
housing agencies (PHAs) work with welfare 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. A separate program,
the public housing FSS program, is available for public housing residents.
How do families apply to the HCV FSS program?
Families that are selected to receive a voucher or who currently
receive assistance through the housing choice voucher programs should
discuss participation in the FSS program with the local
PHA.
What is the history of the FSS program?
FSS was established in 1990 by section 554 of the National Affordable
Housing Act. It is a successor program to project self-sufficiency
and operation bootstrap.
What services are provided through the FSS program?
FSS program services may include, but are not limited to:
- child care
- transportation
- education
- job training and employment counseling
- substance/alcohol abuse treatment or counseling
- household skill training
- homeownership counseling
What families are eligible to participate in
the HCV FSS program?
Families who receive assistance under the HCV are eligible to participate
in the FSS program.
Who administers the FSS program?
The FSS program is administered locally by public housing agencies
(PHAs).
How is the mandatory minimum HCV FSS program
size determined?
Some PHAs are required to administer FSS programs because they received
FSS incentive award funding, or because they received funding for
additional certificates or vouchers in FY 1993 or subsequent years
through October 21, 1998. As a result of the Public Housing Reform
Act of 1998, funding received after October 21, 1998 no longer mandates
an increase in the minimum size of a PHA's FSS program.
A PHA's minimum size is decreased by one slot for each family that
completes its FSS contract on or after October 21, 1998. However,
a PHA's FSS obligation continues until the members of families successfully
completing the program (on or after October 21, 1998) is equal to
the number of FSS slots the PHA was required to administer.
How do PHAs obtain funding from HUD to administer
an FSS program?
For the most part, PHAs must rely on their own or other local resources
to operate FSS programs. However, under the authority of annual
appropriations acts, HUD has been able to provide some funding for
FSS program coordinators to assist PHAs in operating housing choice
voucher FSS programs. The availability of funding is announced in
the Federal Register in a notice of funding availability
(NOFA).
Can PHAs operate voluntary housing choice voucher
FSS programs?
Yes. Removal of the mandate for additional FSS slots does not mean
that the FSS program was eliminated. PHAs are encouraged to operate
voluntary FSS programs, including FSS programs larger than the PHA's
mandatory minimum FSS program size. HUD continues to support the
FSS program, that has had demonstrated success in both strengthening
families and through employment, helping them to reach other goals
such as homeownership.
What requirements must a PHA meet to operate
an FSS program?
To operate either a voluntary or mandatory FSS program, a PHA must
establish an FSS program coordinating committee and develop an FSS
action plan. The FSS program coordinating committee helps the PHA
to develop its action plan and FSS program policies, obtain public
and private supportive services funding and commitments, and oversee
the overall implementation of the FSS program.
The FSS action plan describes the policies and procedures to operate
an FSS program. The plan also provides an estimate on the number
of eligible families expected to participate and establishes their
supportive service needs. HUD must approve the action plan.
How do PHAs select families for the FSS program?
PHAs can give a selection preference--for up to 50 percent of its
FSS slots--to eligible families with one or more family member enrolled
in, or on the waiting list for, an FSS-related service or job placement
program. For all other selections, the PHA must use an objective
system, such as a lottery. PHAs may screen applicants for interest
and motivation to participate in FSS, but may not screen for education,
job history, credit rating, marital status, or number of children.
Can PHAs require families to participate in
FSS?
No. Participation of families in the FSS program is voluntary and
cannot be condition of receiving assistance under the housing choice
voucher program.
What requirements must a family meet to participate
in the FSS program?
The PHA and the head of each participating family execute an 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 that
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
choice voucher assistance.
What is the FSS escrow account?
An interest-bearing FSS 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 family completes the contract and no member of the family
is receiving cash welfare assistance, the amount of the FSS account
is paid to the head of the family. If the PHA terminates the FSS
contract, or if the family fails to complete the contract before
its expiration, the family's FSS escrow funds are forfeited.
What are the responsibilities of the FSS Program
Coordinators?
FSS program coordinators assure that FSS program participants are
linked to the supportive services they need to achieve economic
self-sufficiency.
Does a family have to give up its rental assistance
after the family completes its FSS contract?
No. Although it is hoped that families will no longer need housing
assistance upon completion of the FSS program, some families that
complete the program will still need assistance for housing. The
law provides that a family may complete its FSS contract and receive
its escrow while continuing to receive housing assistance under
the voucher program.
What types of funding are available under the
family self-sufficiency program?
Other than annual funding for HCV FSS program coordinators salaries,
no specific funding is provided by HUD. PHAs that administer a FSS
program will provide opportunities for families participating in
the housing choice voucher program to also receive assistance under
the FSS program.
What
regulations cover this program?
Regulations are found at 24
CFR 984.