Overview

In FY14, Congress combined funding for the Public Housing FSS (PH FSS) and Housing Choice Voucher FSS (HCV FSS) programs into one program serving both populations. The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program enables families assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Public Housing (PH) residents, and residents of Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act-assisted housing to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. Under the FSS program, low-income families are provided opportunities for education, job training, counseling and other forms of social service assistance, while living in assisted housing, so they can obtain skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

The FSS program is administered by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) with the help of Program Coordinating Committees (PCCs). The PCC usually consists of representatives of local government, employment and job training agencies, welfare agencies, nonprofit providers, local businesses, and assisted families.

Services for FSS program participants are provided through local partnerships with employers and service providers in the community.  Services are not funded by HUD.  HUD funding is provided for the salary of FSS coordinators, and is awarded through annual Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs). 

Public Housing residents and HCV participants who are interested in participating in the FSS program may contact a PHA in their area that administers an FSS program.  Please note that not all PHAs administer the FSS program.