Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin

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Resident Services

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

Program Highlights

The FSS program is an innovative, voluntary program that helps Housing Choice Voucher Participants and Public Housing residents achieve economic independence over a five-year period. Participants work with a case manager to assess their strengths, identify barriers, set goals and work to achieve them. Participants are able to accrue an escrow savings account, managed by the Housing Authority, while earning income.

Moving Forward
In order to enhance participant success, FSS provides the following support:
  • Budgeting and Financial Management
  • Credit Counseling
  • Homebuyer Education
  • Time Management
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  • Career Counseling
  • Job Search Methods
  • Education (Basic, GED, ESL, Secondary)
  • Job Training
  • Effective Communication Skills
  • Job Retention Skills

 

These supportive services along with others will be offered in cooperation with local agencies.

Accepting The Challenge

Each participating family in the FSS program is required to sign a Contract of Participation. This contract outlines the responsibilities of the participants during the 5-year contract term in the FSS program. The contract is based on a thorough assessment of the individual needs of each participant and specific supportive services focused to meet these needs.
Defining The Goal

A Training and Service Plan is created with each participant stating the specific steps and goals the participants will need in order to successfully complete the Contract of Participation. Essential components of the Training and Service Plan will be for the FSS family head of household to seek, acquire, and maintain full time gainful employment and become from all government subsidies.

Encouraging The Process

As each FSS participant becomes employed and earns more money, the participants portion of subsidized rent will likely increase. While under a Contract of Participation, a portion of the rent increase will be placed in an interest bearing account managed by the Housing Authority. Once the family has completed their 5-year Contract of Participation, and is free from all government subsidies, the participant may cash out the escrow account and in most cases, use it as a down payment to purchase a home.

Benefits Of The Family Self-Sufficiency Program
  • Housing support is provided when it is need most: during education, training, searching for a job and beginning a job.
  • FSS addresses real barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.
  • FSS offers initial and continuous support to make the transition to self-sufficiency possible.
  • Once the FSS family finds and maintains employment, an interest bearing escrow account will be established for the family.
  • As FSS families become self-sufficient, their housing subsidies become available for others who wish to succeed.
  • Participants are linked to services with Housing Authority community partners.

For more information regarding the FSS program, contact (209) 460-5000.

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Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin
448 South Center Street
Stockton, California 95203
(209) 460-5000