The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, which began in January of 1992, is a voluntary program for participants in Florence Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Programs. Its purpose is to assist families receiving HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance or living in public housing to improve their economic situation and reduce their dependence on public assistance and welfare. FSS is for individuals who are unemployed or already employed but wanting to increase their income, and who are willing to commit to changing their lives.

The FSS Program is designed to offer educational opportunities and job training as well as supportive services needed to assist the participant in returning to the productive mainstream of society. Eligible families are connected with the appropriate support services and resources in their communities needed to move the family toward economic self-sufficiency.

Each FSS participant creates a maximum five-year plan that includes employment goals and identifies training or education needs. FSS staff will work with the household to identify, locate and arrange for the services they need to accomplish these goals. Services might include child care, education, transportation, development of resumes, job training and placement, counseling, parenting skills, money management or credit counseling.

Once a family expresses an interest in participating in the Program, they will go through the FSS orientation process which may include workshops and interviews. A case manager assists each family in setting goals for self-sufficiency and looking at the issues that stand in the way of success. The case manager also helps identify supportive services from the community to address these issues. With this information the family draws up a feasible plan and timetable for achieving self-sufficiency. A contract is signed by the participant and the Authority, indicating their commitment to work toward the goal of permanent employment.

Any family or family member, 18 or older, currently living in Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing under the jurisdiction of Florence Housing Authority is eligible to participate in the program. There is no income guideline. There is a limit of 50 participants for families receiving rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Services of the program are offered at no cost to the participants. Resources are provided by agencies throughout the Shoals area.

Escrow Account
As FSS participants succeed in raising their family income, the portion of their monthly income contributed toward their Housing Choice Voucher Program or Public Housing rent payment also increases. HUD regulations allow a percentage of this rent increase to be deposited into an interest bearing escrow account. If the family meets its goals within five years and graduates from welfare assistance for a period of twelve months, they will receive the funds in this account.

The availability of an escrow account is established when the participant begins their FSS contract. This contract contains the participant's personal goals to be completed while in the program. At the signing of the contract, the portion of the rent paid by the participant is frozen. As the participant becomes employed or advances in employment, their rent increases according to HUD program guidelines, but all increases in the portion of the rent which the participant is responsible for and pays is redirected into the participant's escrow account. As the participant earns more income and pays higher rent amounts, the escrow account increases. Once they complete their contract goals, they receive their escrow account balance. This balance is used for the down payment for a house. If they were not under this program, their rent would increase in relationship with their increase in income and they would not create any savings.