Self-Sufficiency Program
The Self-Sufficiency Program is a component of the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Programs which provides supportive services and financial incentives for HCV participants and Public Housing residents to become economically and socially self-sufficient.
Overview
The TGHA Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary program. TGHA has no mandatory Self-Sufficiency Program slots.
The purpose of the TGHA Self-Sufficiency Program is to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of HCV Housing Assistance with public and private resources and to enable families eligible to receive assistance under these programs to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.
The objective of the Self-Sufficiency Program is to reduce the dependency of low-income families on welfare assistance and on Housing Assistance. Under the Self-Sufficiency Program, families are provided opportunities for education, job training, counseling, and other forms of social service assistance while receiving HCV Housing Assistance so that they may obtain the education, employment, business, and social skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
Each family that chooses to participate in the Self-Sufficiency Program must execute a Contract of Participation (COP) with HAS. The COP incorporates the individual training and services plan including specific interim and final goals and sets forth the principal terms and conditions governing participation in the Self-Sufficiency Program. The COP shall be prepared in the format prescribed by HUD and executed by the head of the Self-Sufficiency family.
The head of the Self-Sufficiency family is required to seek and maintain suitable employment during the term of the contract. Seek employment means that the head of the Self-Sufficiency family has applied for employment, attended job interviews, and has otherwise followed through on employment opportunities. A determination of suitable employment shall be made by TGHA based on the skills, education, job training of the head of the household and the availability of job opportunities.
A Self-Sufficiency escrow account shall be established for qualified families pursuant to HUD regulations. A family is eligible for an escrow contribution when there is an increase in earned income. Such escrow shall be established at the time of a re-certification based on the interim re-certification requirements described elsewhere in this Administrative Plan. Escrow contributions shall be credited monthly to each individual account and a statement of the account balance shall be issued at least annually following the close of TGHA’s fiscal year. Interest shall accrue at the actual amount paid by the financial institutions where the funds are on deposit.
Eligible Participants
- Are current heads of households
- Live in public housing
- Have a current section 8 voucher or are enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (VASH)
Escrow Benefit
- As the household income increases, a portion of the increased rent will be deposited into an escrow account
- Participants have up to five years to complete their goals
- Once the participant achieves their goals, they will graduate from the program and receive the accumulated funds in their escrow account
Benefits
- Provides a closer relationship between the PHA and the Participant to identify critical resources
- An Escrow savings account created for FSS participants of the program by TGHA
- Emergency Withdrawal of funds from Escrow account ie: Car Repairs
- Helps prepare for homeownership
Self-Sufficiency Program
Together, our Self-Sufficiency Specialists and the participant identify barriers to employment and self-sufficiency. They set short-term and long-term goals to overcome these barriers.
