All about Family Self-Sufficiency
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a program administered by The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, Indiana and is federally funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FSS is a voluntary program. The goal of an FSS family is to attain economic security and self-sufficiency by or before the end of the Contract of Participation. FSS includes a financial incentive through the establishment of an escrow account.
Eligibility requirements for FSS include:
- The family must be a current Public Housing or Section 8 HCV tenant.
- The head of household must attend a mandatory introductory session with the FSS Coordinator.
- The head of household must be willing to seek and maintain employment or be attending school during the FSS Contract of Participation period.
- The head of household is required to maintain regular contact with the FSS Coordinator and attend mandatory meetings.
- The family must be willing to receive case management as a part of their supportive services.
- Families interested in enrolling in the FSS program will complete pre-enrollment forms and attend a program orientation with the FSS Coordinator.
If the family wishes to continue as a participant in the program after orientation, the family will meet with the FSS Coordinator to identify and assess needs and short and long term goals to achieve self-sufficiency. An Action Plan will be developed that details specific steps and activities the family will complete in order to attain their needs and goals.
A Contract of Participation must be signed by the head of household.
Those interested in the FSS program may contact the FSS Coordinator at (812) 378-0005, extension 30.