A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill to streamline the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program.
The Family Self Sufficiency Act would combine the Housing Choice Voucher-FSS and Public Housing-FSS into one program, which would relieve public housing agencies of the unnecessary burden of running two separate programs that share the same goal.
It would also broaden the scope of the supportive services that may be offered to include attainment of a GED, education in pursuit of a post-secondary degree or certification, homeownership assistance, and training in asset management.
Further, it would expand the reach of the FSS program to more families that may be excluded due to a technicality related to the kind of housing assistance a family receives. The bill would authorize HUD to open up the FSS program to families that live in privately owned properties subsidized with project-based rental assistance.
The bill is sponsored by U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
“This bipartisan legislation will help more low-income Americans expand their education, save for the future, and reach their goal of becoming financially independent,” Blunt said. “It is a common sense step we can take to improve the FSS program and enhance support for people in Missouri and across the country who are working hard to create a better future for themselves and their families.”
The FSS program helps families enrolled in housing voucher or public housing programs increase their earnings, build savings, and make progress toward self-sufficiency.
“The FSS program helps families achieve their financial goals so they can become independent. It provides a roadmap to stability and links them to critical support services to get there, like help with education, job-training, or childcare so individuals can support their families. Ultimately, it empowers people to gain marketable skills, improve their job prospects, and sets them on a path towards greater economic independence and self-sufficiency,” Reed said. “Our bipartisan bill will streamline the program and make it more effective so it can reach more residents and give more folks an opportunity to build a better life.”
Scott said it would help the most vulnerable move towards toward financial independence by providing them access to job-training or helping them attain a GED.
“By linking families to critical job-training, child care, and educational services, the FSS program empowers families to develop the skills and build the systems needed to achieve and maintain success. Our bill will strengthen the already successful program and provide additional families an opportunity to thrive,” Menendez added.