The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is a voluntary, five-year employment incentive program for families participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and Asset Management residents. Participants learn to set annual goals toward economic self-sufficiency and receive community resources and support to meet them. Participants also have the opportunity to earn money in an escrow account when their earned income increases.
Make an appointment with an FSS Program Coordinator within 90 days of your most recent recertification or interim change. 

Email the coordinators at HCVPFSS@cintimha.com.
All Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing participants are eligible to join FSS.  However, families must be able to increase their earned income in order to benefit from the escrow incentive and be able to successfully complete the program.

When an FSS family increases their earned income, the family is expected to pay a higher percentage of the rent. CMHA will put an amount equal to the rental increase into an escrow account each month that the family pays a higher rent amount.
For example:

  Contract Rent CMHA Subsidy Family’s Monthly Rental Portion Escrow Account Per Month
Family joins FSS $500 $400 $100 0
Family increases earned returns $500 $200 $300 $200

Families must meet the program goals to be eligible to receive escrow funds. 

The program goals are:

  • Be suitably employed
  • Be in good standing with CMHA and your HCV landlord
  • Be free of cash welfare assistance for at least the last 12 consecutive months of the contract
  • Meet the goals that you have set  for yourself in the Individual Training and Service Plan
If you are ready to make the necessary changes in your life to achieve financial self-sufficiency, the FSS program can assist you in making SMART goals, provide you with the support and community resources you need to meet your goals, and allow you to earn money in a tax-free escrow account.
The escrow that is accrued during FSS participation may be used to meet any financial or personal goals and/or obligations. FSS staff strongly encourage participants to attend financial counseling and budget development classes.
An acceptable goal is one that leads to a participant becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on entitlement programs.