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Family Self Sufficiency

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a federal program, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FSS program was created to enable HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.

Through its FSS Program, the Beaufort Housing Authority (BHA) is strategically connecting its Housing Choice Voucher program participants to existing public and private resources within their community. The FSS Program is offered free of charge, participation is voluntary, and will not affect the participant's housing assistance.

Each family that chooses to participate in the FSS Program must execute a Contract of Participation (COP) with BHA. The COP incorporates the individual training and services plan including specific interim and final goals and sets forth the principal terms and conditions governing participation in the FSS Program. The COP shall be prepared in the format prescribed by HUD and executed by the head of the FSS family.

The head of the FSS family is required to seek and maintain suitable employment during the term of the contract. Seek employment means that the head of the FSS family has applied for employment, attended job interviews, and has otherwise followed through on employment opportunities. A determination of suitable employment shall be made by BHA based on the skills, education, job training of the head of the household and the availability of job opportunities.

An FSS escrow account shall be established for qualified families pursuant to HUD regulations. A family is eligible for an escrow contribution when there is an increase in earned income.

Such escrow shall be established at the time of a re-certification based on the interim re-certification requirements described elsewhere in this Administrative Plan. Escrow contributions shall be credited monthly to each individual account and a statement of the account balance shall be issued at least annually following the close of BHA's fiscal year. Interest shall accrue at the actual amount paid by the financial institutions where the funds are on deposit.