What is Family Self-Sufficiency?
The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a voluntary program designed to assist participants in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, and residents living in Federally Subsidized Public Housing achieve economic independence. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program works with support agencies throughout the South Shore and Boston assisting families in developing the strengths, skills and experience necessary to achieve economic independence. Your FSS coordinator will assist you in setting goals in education, career development, debt resolution, financial stability, increased income and homeownership. As your earned income increases, some of your increased rent payment shall be set aside in an account for you. If you achieve all your goals set out in your Individual Training and Service Plan, and successfully complete the program, you may withdraw your escrow funds to use as you determine appropriate.
If you are interested in the Family Self Sufficiency Program, please contact Linda Shirley, FSS Coordinator at 617-847-4350 ext. 905 for more information. You may also download our brochure from our website here.
Testimonials
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated and have benefited from the Mass Leap course that you recommended for me.
When I first started this 5 year program in 2014 I wasn’t sure what to expect. My credit score was awful (around 400), credit card was maxed out and I was struggling to pay my bills every month. As time passed with the helpful insight from my counselor Megan I began to see a difference month to month. Taking courses from Budgeting to Computer programs and even one on work/family balance really started taking effect as the months turned into years. During my 5 years in this program I went from being an account manager to a supervisor and then to my current position now as District Sales Manager with Coca-Cola. My credit score is over 700 which has opened up all new possibilities for me and my family. After I graduated in August of 2019 I used my escrow to pay off some of my remaining credit card debt. Which brings me to today. My wife Cheryl and I have always dreamed of buying a house but it always felt like an unreachable task and I am happy to say that due to this program we got an offer excepted on a 3 bedroom ranch that we will soon be calling HOME!
Overall this program has definitely taught this “old dog” new tricks and I could not be more grateful to Megan Ryan and her team and especially you Michelle for recommending this program to me and my family.
-David Brolin
