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Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Participants develop an individual service plan and sign a contract of participation for a five-year period. Participants then meet regularly with a case manager to review their goals and progress, and to ensure the family is receiving the necessary supports and services to achieve their goals.
As families participate and increase their earned income, their rent sudsidy is reduced, but a matching amount is placed in an escrow saving account through HUD which is held on the family's behalf. At the end of the contract period the money in the escrow account is given to the family, providing they have achieved their goals and are independent of welfare assistance. Many of the graduates of the FSS program have gone on to purchase homes of their own, gone to college and started careers. Participation in the program does not mean you have to discontinue your participation in the Rental Assistance Program, you can continue receiving rental assistance as long as you remain eligible for that program.
Benefits of participating in the program:
For more information regarding this program please contact Joanne Wilmot at 781-422-4252 or jwilmot@southshorehousing.org. Opening Doors to Family Self Sufficiency
Although she struggled to make ends meet, Sherri had a lot going for her. She was bright, highly motivated and had two wonderful children. All she lacked in providing for her family was an opportunity build her skills and get ahead. Enter South Shore Housing's Family Self Sufficiency program. SSH's Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator, to come up with a 5-year contract with goals and steps toward financial independence for her family. Her first step was to begin a degree program at Massasoit Community College. She also increased her hours as a receptionist and took advantage of in-house training available at her workplace. Her dedication and increased education led Sherri to a position with a local non-profit where she does direct client care for disabled adults and supervises a staff of six. She simultaneously completed her associate's degree. When she graduated from FSS, she had access to her escrow account, which enabled her to pay off some debts and start a savings account for homeownership.
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As part of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, South Shore Housing administers the Family Self-sufficiency program (FSS). The FSS program works with families to establish goals and a five-year plan to reach the final goal of employment and increased economic independence.