Family Self Sufficiency Program

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) empowers participants to reach their education, financial, and/or employment goals by offering one-on-one support, resources and by providing an escrow (savings) account.

Anyone who is currently in either the Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing Programs.

The FSS contract is valid for five-years, but participants can graduate prior to the expiration of the contract.

No, you will continue to receive housing assistance whether or not you complete the program. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by participating!

Yes, absolutely. Participating in FSS in voluntary.

Yes, actually households with zero or low earned income will get the most out of the escrow account when they do start earning income.

When a Head of Household enrolls in the program, an escrow (savings) account is established for that resident. Every time the household experiences an increase in earned income, there is the potential for their monthly escrow deposit to also increase. 

For example, John Smith started the FSS program with no earned income. Two months later, John begins earning a wage at a new job. John experiences a $500 increase in rent. John will also receive up to $500 in monthly escrow deposits. In this example, if John’s income remained the same, he would have an escrow balance of approximately $29,000 at the end of the five years.

Remember, the escrow account is based on your earned income. Earned income is job wages, and/or self-employment. Child Support, TANF, Social Security are not earned income.

No, the Housing Authority manages the account while the participant is still working on their goals.  

However, participants have the option to request a one-time withdraw from the account if they are using it towards completing a goal outlined in the contract.  

The escrow earnings are not taxable.  They do gain a minimal amount of interest throughout the five-year period.

• The Head of Household will have completed the four or five goals that they wanted to focus on when they enrolled in the program (listed on their ITSP).
• The household cannot be receiving Welfare Assistance (TANF) for the 12-consecutive months prior to graduation
• The Head of Household will need to be full-time employed based on education, training and experience.

No, the Housing Authority cannot tell you how to spend your escrow money.  

You may request an extension up to two years depending on the circumstances. 

Contact Ashley Fischer, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator at 971-378-8723 or afischer@clackamas.us.