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FSS Brochure

For a printable version of the FSS Brochure (which includes all content as listed below), please click here.


The Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Tampa Housing Authority
5301 West Cypress Street
Tampa, FL 33607
813.253.0551

Is FSS for Me?

  • Are you interested in job training, higher education or completing your education?
  • Are you ready to work in a field you've been interested in?
  • Are you looking to increase your earnings from employment or self-employment?
  • Are you ready to give up cash welfare assistance?
  • Are you interested in a having a bank account set aside just for you with no funds of your own needed?

If your answer is "yes", then the FSS Program is worth looking into. The FSS Program is designed to help you set goals and achieve them.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please complete an FSS application which can be found in the customer service lobby.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on your life!

What is FSS?
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program was created to help families achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS program tackles the problem of dependency by giving economically and educationally challenged families the opportunity to receive housing under HCV Program and the supportive services necessary for them to obtain an education and/or job training and secure permanent employment or self-employment. The head of the household is expected to obtain higher education and permanent employment with the assistance of the FSS program.

The program allows 5 years for the head of household to set and achieve desired goals. It is a voluntary program, and a participant can withdraw from the program at any time without being penalized.

Who is Eligible?
Program participation is open to all HCV clients.  A new HCV participant must lease up before they can execute a FSS contract.

The FSS program is for single parents and married couples. The participant can be employed or unemployed, in school or out of school.

Every participant will be at a different level based on their own particular needs.

Escrow Account
Once a participant secures employment, they may be eligible for an escrow account.

If the FSS family's income and rent increase due to earned income during participation, the THA will establish and maintain an escrow account on their behalf. Earned income is defined as income from employment, i.e. wages, salaries, and self-employment.

Once they have successfully completed the program, they are entitled to their account balance.

During the term of the program, money can only be withdrawn from an account if circumstances arise that prevent the family from continuing their progress toward self-sufficiency. In the past, we have assisted families in paying for educational courses and improving their credit in order to pursue homeownership.

Escrow account money is saved with the intention of providing the family with the means to purchase a home at the end of the program. 

"Building a World Class Community, One Family and One Neighborhood at a time" 

Program Steps

  • Orientation: After an interested participant completes an FSS application, they will be invited to attend an Orientation where the program will be explained in detail.
  • Initial Assessment: At the initial appointment, the head of household is assessed. This assessment is done through a series of questions that acquire information on several areas of in an individual's life. This information is used to develop the goals for the next five years.
  • Contract of Participation: Once the head of household decides to enroll, they're required to sign a Contract of Participation. The Contract outlines the participant's responsibilities, as well as the role of the Tampa Housing Authority.
  • Individual Training and Service Plan (ITSP): This states the final goal and outlines the interim steps needed to reach that goal, along with available community services and a timeline to complete each goal.

These are just a few of the community partners we work with: 

  • Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance
  • Dress for Success
  • Hartline
  • Hillsborough County Health & Social Services
  • Crisis Center
  • Center for Affordable Homeownership
  • Healthy Start
  • The Centre
  • Head Start

And a few of the services you could be linked to:  

  • Adult Education
  • GED or H.S. Diploma Classes
  • Resume Writing
  • Employability Skills  And Employment Assistance
  • Credit and Budget Counseling
  • And More