Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Metro Housing|Boston, in partnership with One Family Inc., provides participants in the federally-funded Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) the opportunity to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. FSS is a voluntary program designed to help families achieve increased economic self-sufficiency over a five-year period.

What kinds of services are provided?

FSS participants are matched with an FSS Advisor to provide one-on-one coaching and assistance with reaching their goals. This can include financial literacy, credit help, education, job skills, and career guidance.

How does it work?

Watch the video below to learn more about FSS. <

FSS participants:
• Work toward self-identified goals focused on education, workforce development, and asset building;
• Receive one-on-one counseling; and
• Have the opportunity to build an escrow account if their earned income increases.

Participants graduate from FSS in five years if they have met their goals of obtaining employment and have not received public assistance benefits during the past 12 months.

Are there other benefits?

As a participant’s earnings increase, an escrow amount is calculated based approximately on the difference between the starting and increased income. This amount is deposited into an escrow account on behalf of the participant. When the participant successfully completes the program, he or she receives the escrowed money. These funds are often used for future homeownership or higher education. Graduates of the program are not required to leave the Section 8 Program.

Metro Housing|Boston’s FSS program is run in partnership with One Family, Inc.

If you need assistance, please contact Jakora Staten, Lead Specialist, at 617.425.6779 or via email at jakora.staten@metrohousingboston.org.

Si tienes interés en el programa Autosuficiencia Familiar (FSS), debas contactar Jakora Staten, consejero del programa FSS, por teléfono 617.425.6779 o por correo electrónico jakora.staten@metrohousingboston.org.

Communities we serve

Metro Housing|Boston serves individuals and families, as well property owners, in 30 communities throughout Greater Boston.

  • Arlington
  • Bedford
  • Belmont
  • Boston
  • Braintree
  • Brookline
  • Burlington
  • Cambridge
  • Chelsea
  • Everett
  • Lexington
  • Lynn*
  • Malden
  • Medford
  • Melrose
  • Milton
  • Newton
  • North Reading
  • Quincy
  • Reading
  • Revere
  • Somerville
  • Stoneham
  • Wakefield
  • Waltham
  • Watertown
  • Wilmington
  • Winchester
  • Winthrop
  • Woburn

*Metro Housing|Boston does not administer RAFT, Voucher Programs, or HomeBASE assistance in Lynn. See Lynn Housing Authority.
*In addition to the 30 communities listed above, Metro Housing|Boston administers rental voucher programs in Holbrook, Randolph, and Weymouth. If you are specifically seeking RAFT assistance in those communities,
you must apply instead to Housing Solutions. (http://housingsolutionssema.org).

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