Tampa Housing Authority Secures Largest Family Self-Sufficiency Award in Florida for 2026
HUD Grant of $980,720 to Fuel Economic Mobility and Financial Independence for Tampa Families
TAMPA, Fla. - January 26, 2026 - The Tampa Housing Authority (THA) is proud to announce it has been awarded $980,720 in Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For the last several years, the agency has consistently secured the largest FSS award granted to any housing authority in the state of Florida, underscoring THA's leadership in workforce development and resident empowerment.
The FSS program is a powerful initiative designed to help families receiving housing assistance increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on public subsidies. Through personalized coaching and the establishment of escrow savings accounts-which grow as a participant's earnings increase-the program provides a tangible pathway toward homeownership and long-term financial stability.
The grant enables eight FSS counselors to deliver services to families. They connect housing voucher-holding families with public and private resources to boost income, reduce welfare dependency, and promote self-sufficiency. In 2025, the program supported 400 families - the largest pool in Florida - with an average $15,000 escrow per family.
"This significant investment from HUD is a testament to the life-changing outcomes we are seeing within our communities," says Jerome D. Ryans, THA President and CEO. "We are profoundly grateful for HUD's continued partnership and recognition of our efforts. This funding is crucial; it provides the fuel for our families to break cycles of poverty and move toward true economic independence. It allows us to scale our mission, ensuring that every participating resident has the resources to turn their professional and personal aspirations into reality."
The success of the program is rooted in the dedicated support system provided by THA's FSS Coordinators, who work one-on-one with residents to navigate barriers to employment and education.
"I am incredibly proud of our FSS team, whose tireless dedication is the heartbeat of this program," says Margaret Jones, Assisted Housing Director at THA. "Our coordinators do more than manage cases; they build relationships and provide the dependable support our families need to thrive. This award belongs to the team that walks alongside our residents every day, proving that with the right guidance and collective commitment, financial self-sufficiency is an achievable goal for every family we serve," adds Jones.
THA's FSS program is set to continue its track record of excellence, consistently graduating families who move on to realize significant savings through their escrow accounts. This 2026 funding will allow THA to expand its reach and continue fostering a culture of opportunity across the families assisted by the agency.
ABOUT THE TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY
Incorporated in 1937, the Tampa Housing Authority serves over 60,000 families across the state of Florida and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The agency collaborates with federal and local governments as well as private partners to expand accessible housing options in the Tampa area. Its innovative and sustainable urban development communities combine mixed-income residences with commercial offerings and are strengthened by community service programs that improve quality of life for all Tampanians. Learn more at www.tampaha.org. Connect on social media @tampahaorg.
Media Contact: publicrelations@thafl.com
Tags: Tampa Housing Authority, HUD, FSS, Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Jerome Ryans, Margaret Jones
