The Family Self-Sufficiency Program

The U.S. government created the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program to help families earn and save through financial coaching and incentives. IHC first began offering FSS services in 2021, and it has already been used for:

• Mobility counseling and housing search assistance for voucher holders
• More affordable housing in safe neighborhoods that also have employment opportunities and community amenities
• Access to educational and credentialing programs to encourage skill development
• Worker readiness, job training, job placement, and job retention services
• Financial literacy and planning services
• Access to affordable daycare facilities

• Assess Individual Needs
• Coordinate Available Resources
• Set & Monitor Goals
• Explain How Escrow Accounts Work

Qualified FSS families pay housing costs that make sense for their income, and MSHDA subsidizes the rest. As their income increases, the family pays a little more, but MSHDA makes monthly deposits into their account. As you earn more, you contribute more, but you get more for your future.  

Here’s what happens if you become a successful FSS Participant: 

• Your Rental Assistance status will not change. You will continue to receive rental assistance like you currently do now.
• Your portion of the rent will continue to be based on your income.
• When your earned income increases, MSHDA will deposit funds into a FSS escrow account.

Whether you are currently employed, unemployed, or in school, you will receive assistance in establishing employment and/or education goals.

At the successful completion of the contract, the head of household receives escrow monies.

Escrow funds can be used towards a down payment for a home, educational expenses, or to

pay off debt.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enter into a contract where you, along with your FSS Resource Coordinator, develop and monitor step-by-step goals for your achievement.
• The head of the household must seek and maintain suitable employment.
• The head of the household must complete the goals defined in the individual training and services plan.
• All family members must be independent of cash welfare assistance for the final twelve months of the FSS contract.
• Participants must attend Financial Management/Economic Literacy counseling and will be pre-assessed for homeownership eligibility.