Page 364 - CityofArlingtonFY26AdoptedBudget

Support Youth and Families

Goal 1: Create an Environment that Enables our Residents to Flourish and Grow
Objective 1: Implement Support Systems
Project Performance Measure(s) Department(s)
SYF Family Self-Sufficiency Increase the number of families Housing
1.1.2 Program participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency
Program

Summary:
FSS New Enrolllment
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a
voluntary component of the Housing Authority’s 7
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
6
Households or individual enrolled in the FSS program
work with their case manager to achieve established 5
goals. Their goals are unique to themselves, but
often relate to savings, education, employment, and 4
credit score. HUD mandates 2 goals be completed to 3
graduate; being off welfare and employed full time.
2
Participants enter into a 5-year contract but can
graduate early if they’ve achieved their goals. A 1
snapshot of their income is recorded as a baseline
-
when they enter the program. HCV participants pay
30% of their income toward rent, and the housing 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr.
voucher pays the balance. During their contract Goal Actual
period, if their income increases, their share of rent
also increases.

As the housing authority’s portion of rent is reduced,
that savings in rent is put in an escrow account to be
held for the FSS participant. If they graduate from
the program, the escrow balance is given to the
graduate with no restrictions on its use (however
they are given guidance about paying off debt,
increasing savings accounts, etc.).

The FSS program was revamped in FY 2023 and
rebranded to Assistance Plus. Housing’s goal is to enroll
5 new FSS participants each quarter in FY 2025.

Update:
We received 48 referrals from internal staff for the FSS
program. Staff completed enrollments with 12
nd
participants, but only 6 became effective during the 2
Quarter. FSS staff also completed 43 outreach calls to
potential participants.

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