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The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is a
voluntary initiative that helps families obtain the
skills they need to achieve financial independence.
Case management support is offered to participating
families through referrals to local agencies for
education, job fairs, workshops, budget management
and other appropriate services to assist the family.
All FSS participants must be participants in either
the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or Public
Housing Programs with the Housing Authority of
Maricopa County (HAMC).
Upon entering the program, the FSS Coordinator
discusses objectives and expectations with the
family Head of Household to formulate an Individual
Training and Service Plan designed to meet the
family's self-sufficiency goals within a five-year
period. A formal contract is then signed between the
Head-of-Household and HAMC relating to achieving
these goals utilizing the resources |
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and services available for that purpose.
This contract describes the activities that
need to be completed by the family to obtain
a higher education and/or job training that
can result in a living wage employment. A
portion of the participant's monthly rent is
put into an interest-bearing HUD escrow
account, in accordance with HUD requirements,
to be made available to the participant once
the contract is successfully completed. This
money can be used to start a business or as
a down payment on the purchase of a home.
Statements are sent to participants with the
escrow balance on an annual basis. HAMC
has approximately 75 to 80 clients at any
given time participating in its FSS programs, from both
the Section 8 and Public Housing operations. Most
payout checks range between $10,000-$15,000 and are
used to buy a home. |
