Family Self-Sufficiency

The FSS Program is designed to help Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher participants gain economic independence over the course of up to five years.

Requirements

Requirements for the program include the following:

Seek and Maintain Suitable Employment: Applicants must be employed at the time of the FSS contract expiration and be off of cash assistance prior to the FSS contract expiration. Families may still receive food stamps and a housing subsidy after graduating from the FSS Program.
Must Be Over 18: Applicants do not have to be head of household, but they MUST be over the age of 18 and agree to meet program requirements.
Create and Meet Goals: Applicants must work closely with a case manager to develop productive personal goals toward financial independence.

Potential Goals for Participants

Program participants must work together with their trained case manager to develop goals that help them address any areas of their situation that may be negatively impacting their financial independence. Goal areas may include:

Education
Specialized Training
Job Readiness and Job Placement Activities
Career Advancement Objectives
Mentoring
Budget/Credit Repair
Home Buyer Education

How It Works

The program creates a unique savings account that helps build funds with every dollar of rent payment made by the participant.

As the participant’s earned income goes up, they begin paying more of the rental payment, but the amount they receive from subsidy does not decrease.

Instead, the extra payment provided by the FSS Program is placed into the savings account.

The example below illustrates how this works based on $500/mo rent:

Apply for FSS Program

Email
Address
Street Street, Line 2 City State Zip Code
Phone

Name:
When is the best time to call/contact you?
Highest level of school completed (check one):
Do you need/want a GED?
Are you currently in a school/training program?
If yes, where, what are you studying, how long have you been in, when will you complete?
If you have some other training after finishing high school, explain what and when. List any certificates or degrees earned.
If you have attended college, explain where and when. List any certificates or degrees earned.
Are you interested in attending any training or college course?
If yes, what would you like to study?
Do you know how to use a computer?
If no, are you interested in learning how?
Have you ever attended budgeting/credit classes?
Have you ever attended homeownership classes?
Are you currently working?
If yes, where are you employed?
When did you begin your employment here?
Type of Employment?
Is overtime available at this job?
What type of work do you do? (ex: factory, retail, receptionist, secretary, etc.)
What type of work have you done in the past?
Where was your last job?
Dates of last job
Reason for leaving last job
If/when you begin your search for employment, do you need help with: (check all that apply)
A resume and cover letter Identifying references Interviewing skills Job search
If you are currently working, are you looking for a new job?
What are you looking for that is not available at your current job?
If you could have ANY job you wanted, what would you choose?
Are you interested in Career Counseling?
Do you need help finding school choices, financial aid, etc.?
What do you feel are your strongest employment skills?
List all household members: (Name, Relationship, Date of Birth, Work/School Status)
Have you ever participated in ORHA's FSS program in the past?
If yes, how long ago?
If yes, did you successfully graduate from the program?
Are you behind in your rent payments?
Have you had emergency rental help?
Do you have past due utility bills?
If yes, which utilities?
Do you have any shut-off notices?
Have you applied for OR are you receiving: (check all that apply)
TANF SSI / SSDI Social Security Food Stamps Medical benefits Other cash assistance
Do you run out of food during the month?
If yes, how often does this happen?
Do you use the food bank/soup kitchen?
If yes, how often do you need to use these?
Do you use the WIC program through the Health Department?
Do you need clothes to attend school or work?
Who do you go to for help when you are having problems?
What types of assistance do they provide (ex: emotional support, money, transportation, emergency day-care services, etc.)
Do you have relatives, close friends, or neighbors that help you?
Do you receive help from social service agencies?
If yes, which ones?
Do you have anyone you can talk to about personal problems?
Do the people you talk to provide help and support?
Do you feel that you may need counseling?
Do you belong to any groups, clubs, churches, etc?
If so, what are they?
Do your children participate in school activities, clubs or programs?
If so, what are they?
Do you have health benefits or medical coverage for you or your family?
If yes, type of coverage:
Does it pay for medications?
Would you be interested in counseling of any type for you or anyone in your household?
Have you ever taken any nutrition classes?
Are you currently involved or expect to be involved in any court or legal matter? (Including child support and child custody hearings)
If yes, please explain:
Is anyone currently living with you involved in the juvenile or adult legal system?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
If yes, was this crime a felony?
Are you currently on probation or parole?
Do you have a driver's license?
If yes, is it valid?
Do you have a working car?
Do you have auto insurance?
Do you feel that you have reliable and affordable transportation available when you need it?
How do you get where you need to go?
Besides a car, what other types of transportation do you use?
Do you know how to access public transportation?
Has transportation prevented you from attending training/school or from maintaining emplyoment?
Do you currently have childcare services? (LEAVE THIS SECTION BLANK IF NOT APPLICABLE)
Do you receive payment assistance through a church, social service agency, or by other means?
What is your weekly cost for childcare?
Do you need after school care for your children?
Does their school offer this?
If you worked odd shifts, would you need childcare?
If you do not have childcare now, is there anyone in your house that would need care if you began a training program or found employment? List names and ages:
Have you ever taken parenting classes?
Are you interested in parenting classes?
How do you spend your free time?
How often do you meet with other people?
Do you have any hobbies, play sports, or belong to any clubs, churches, etc?
Do you use the library?
Do you have a library card?
Do you interact with people in your neighborhood?
If not, why?
What are some changes would you like to see in your life 3 months from now?
What are some changes would you like to see in your life a year from now?
What are some changes do you want to see in your life 5 years from now?
What are some strengths, skills, or characteristics do you have that will help you reach your goals?
Everyone experiences obstacles in their life. Some obstacles come from the outside world while some come from within ourselves. Some obstacles we can control and some we cannot. Please check which of these you need help with:
affordable, quality childcare, including sick childcare reliable, affordable transportation clothing for employment legal resources nutritious food good-paying area jobs placement and on-the-job training services problem solving skills time-management skills money management skills family/home skills parenting skills/support communication skills vocational insights (who or what do I want to be?) education or work experience mental or emotional issues developing support from family and friends Bankruptcy Loss of benefits Too much debt Bad credit Other