What is the FSS Program?

FSS is a program that enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.  

Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Project-Based Rental Assistance Owners work in collaboration with a Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) to secure commitments of public
and private resources for the operation of the FSS program, to develop the program’s FSS Action Plan (the FSS policy framework), and to implement the program.

How does the program work?

Once an eligible family is selected to participate in the program, the PHA/owner, and the head of each participating family (for FSS purposes, as determined by the family) execute a FSS Contract of Participation that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The term of the FSS contract is approximately 5 years, but it may be extended for another 2 years by the PHA for good cause.

The FSS contract also incorporates the family’s individual training and services plan (ITSP).  The ITSP is the document that records the plan for the family. That is, the series of intermediate
and long-term goals and the steps the family needs to take – and the services and resources they may need to access – to achieve those goals.

Some of the services coordinated through the program include: child care, transportation, education, job training, employment  counseling, financial literacy, and homeownership counseling,  among others. Services are generally not provided by the PHA/owner, but rather outsourced to service providers in the community.

An interest-bearing escrow account is established by the PHA/owner for each participating family.  Any increases in the family’s rent as a result of increased earned income during the family’s
participation in the program result in a credit to the family’s escrow account. Once a family graduates from the program, they may access the escrow and use it for any purpose.

Who is eligible to participate in the FSS program?

The FSS program is available to Public Housing (PH) residents, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program participants including Project-Based Vouchers and all special-purpose vouchers (e.g. VASH, FUP, FYI, ESG, Mainstream etc.), residents of project-based rental assistance (PBRA) projects.

How do families enroll in the program?

Eligible families should discuss participation in the FSS program with their housing assistance provider PBRA residents will need to contact the PBRA owner of the property where your unit is located (if different than the PHA) for more information.