FSS Program Fact Sheet

The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville, SC
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Fact Sheet

What is the purpose of the FSS Program?
The FSS program staff coordinates services with public and private resources to enable families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS program utilizes changes in rental assistance to create an escrow account for program participants.

What is an escrow account?
An escrow account is a savings account that is created by increases in rent that are caused by earned income (income from a job) after a participant joins the program. The FSS staff will calculate escrow changes at each rental adjustment and inform participants of the effect on the escrow account.

How do you define Self-Sufficiency?
Self-Sufficiency means earning adequate income to provide for basic needs and having enough earnings stability to prevent dependency on Government benefits. Self Sufficient families would no longer receive welfare assistance.

Who can qualify to be a participant in the FSS Program?

All residents of public housing and Section 8 through the Housing Authority of the City of Greenville, SC may qualify to be in the FSS Program.

How long do residents have to complete the program?
The maximum amount of time that a participant has to complete is five (5) years. A participant may complete the program earlier than five (5) years if they have reached a certain income level that would allow them to move out of public housing or section 8 or they have completed all of their program goals.

What if the family does not complete the program in five (5) years?
An additional two (2) years may be granted under certain circumstances such as involuntary loss of employment or an illness. An expanded term may be given if the Housing Authority finds that good cause exists for the extension.

What are the criteria for participation in the FSS Program?
Participant must be willing to participate in educational or vocational activities that will assist them in becoming self-sufficient within five (5) years. The Head of Household must seek and maintain suitable employment by the end of the first four (4) years of the program.

What are educational and vocational activities?
This means going back to school and getting a GED or High School Diploma or it may mean going to job training. It may also mean enrolling in a higher educational program at the local community college or university or participating in job search.

What is the commitment of the family who is in the FSS Program? If the family agrees to participate in the FSS Program, the Head of the Household must sign a Contract of participation and complete an individual Training and Service Plan. The Individual Training and Service spells out what the Head of the Household must do to become self-sufficient and establish a timetable for completion of each of the identified goals. The Contract of Participation outlines the family’s responsibilities in the program.The family will not receive the funds in its FSS escrow account if the Contract of Participation is declared null and void, or if the family has not met its responsibilities within the time specified as stated in the contract.

What is considered completion of the program?
When a family has accomplished the goals that they have set out to achieve or if the 30% of their adjusted income is equal to or more than the Fair Market Rent for their size unit, they have successfully completed the program. Goals consist of being off of public assistance for one calendar year while maintaining permanent full time employment with a steady income. At the time of contract completion, the Head of the Household must provide written certification to the Housing Authority that no member of the family is receiving welfare assistance. This assistance means income assistance from federal or state welfare programs including TANF(AFDC) and general assistance. It does not include Medicaid or Child Care Assistance.

What if the participant does not complete the program or decides during the program that they do not want to participate any further?
If the participate decides that they do not want to pursue the program any further, they will forfeit any money in their escrow account. If a participant has not met certain goals by the end of five (5) years they will forfeit money in their escrow as well.