Family Self Sufficiency (FSS)
An opportunity for families living in Raise Up assisted housing to become self-sufficient by increasing their earned income.
What is the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program?
The FSS Program helps Raise Up families with Housing Choice Vouchers or living in Raise Up Public Housing take the steps to achieve financial self-sufficiency. It is an opportunity to invest in your future, whether you want to finish school, get your GED, find and maintain employment, find a better paying job, or secure childcare and transportation you need to stay employed.
Participation in the FSS Program is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will sign a five-year contract and develop a personal plan for becoming self-sufficient. After signing the contract, it is up to you to work toward your goals, with the support of the FSS Coordinator.
Are you eligible for FSS?
If you currently have a Raise Up Housing Choice Voucher or live in Raise Up Public Housing, and can work, you may be eligible. The first step is to contact Resident Services to schedule an orientation meeting and discuss program requirements. Any family with an outstanding debt to Raise Up must have an executed repayment agreement and be current in payments to participate in the program.
How can you save the money needed to achieve your goals?
Raise Up establishes an interest-bearing escrow (savings) account for each FSS participant. As you work toward your goals, and your earned income increases, Raise Up makes contributions to this account. Your family’s annual income, earned income, and rent when you begin the program will be used to determine the amount credited to your FSS escrow account.
If you complete your FSS goals and contract, you will receive a check equal to the amount in your FSS account. The savings can sometimes be used while you are in the FSS program to pay for costs related to achieving your goals. FSS participants use their savings for many things, including buying cars, paying for school tuition, and credit repair.
The Keys to FSS Success
Achieving self-sufficiency is hard work but Raise Up will be your partner in making it happen!
What you will do:
- Contact the FSS Team at fss@rupartners.org to request an application to get enrolled in the FSS program (This is not an application for Raise Up housing)
What Raise Up will do:
- Help you develop a self-sufficiency plan
- Link you with programs and services to meet your goals
- Advise you on how to overcome barriers that may arise to achieving your goals
- Administer your escrow savings account
FSS Graduation
Achieving self-sufficiency is hard work but Raise Up will be your partner in making it happen!
You graduate from FSS, and receive the funds in your escrow account, when you meet or certify all the following:
- Completed your contract goals within 5 years (Raise Up may extend the term of the contract for up to an additional two years for “good cause”.)
- You have achieved and maintained suitable employment
- No family member is on cash assistance for one year
- You are in good standing with Raise Up
A family that has not met its family responsibilities within the times specified in their FSS contract, or has been terminated from the FSS, HCV or Public Housing program, will not receive the funds in the escrow account.