Family Self-Sufficiency

FSS is a HUD program that allows Section 8 participants and Public Housing residents to build financial assets as the household increases income from wages. The purpose of the FSS program is to enable HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies, therefore achieving economic independence and self-sufficiency. Participation generally lasts five years, during which participants identify educational, professional, and personal goals.  Participating families work with an FSS Coordinator to develop and achieve goals specified upon enrollment in the program, including but not limited to:

• Educational Advancement
• Completion of Specialized Job Training
• Job Placement
• Career Advancement
• Potential Homeownership

As participants achieve their goals and increase their household income from wages, their rent increases; an amount equal to the monthly rent increase is set aside each month into an escrow savings account. When the participant meets their goals and graduate from the program, they are eligible to receive a payout of the escrow accrued throughout the duration of participation. 

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Join the Family Self-Sufficiency Program!
Section 8 And Public Housing Participants:

• Are you serious about earning more money? 
• Are you willing to seek and maintain employment?
• Are you willing to set goals and work hard to achieve them?

If you answered yes to these questions, join the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program! FSS is a voluntary program that encourages participants of the Hialeah Housing Authority Section 8 (HCVP) Program and Public Housing (PH) to work towards becoming financially independent of welfare systems and economically self-sufficient. 

• FSS can help you if you are unemployed, going to school, or already working but want to raise your income.
• FSS is an opportunity for you to improve your personal financial situation.
• FSS will put cash in a special savings account (called an escrow account) to reward you if you increase your earned income and successfully complete the program. As your earned income increases, so does the amount that FSS deposits into the escrow account for you each month.
• FSS provides case management support to help participants achieve their goals related to employment, education, finances, and home ownership.

Please phone or email the FSS coordinators to schedule an informational meeting.

Email Anyely Batista, Public Housing - Phone: 786.257.3483
Email Barbara Ferreiro, HCVP (Section 8) - Phone: 786.257.3466