Overview
The Statewide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program administers the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program which helps Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher tenants achieve economic independence.
The primary objective of the FSS Program, administered under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is to provide opportunities to low-income Section 8 families for education, job training, counseling and other forms of social service assistance, so they may obtain the education, employment and business and social skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
HCR's FSS Program began as a demonstration program in 1992 with approximately 100 participant families in six counties. It is now a successful statewide program administered via HCR's Local Administrator (LA) Network in over thirty counties, with a current enrollment of more than 1,500 families. To date, more than 2,000 families have successfully completed and graduated from HCR’s Statewide FSS Program.
How It Works
Each FSS Program combines stable, affordable housing with case management provided in most cases by the local FSS Coordinator to help participants access the services needed to achieve the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency. Participation is voluntary and is available to families who are currently receiving assistance from HCR's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The FSS Program's objectives include:
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Providing FSS resources to all Section 8 families that desire to become economically independent.
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Establishing working partnerships with public and private agencies to gain access to the activities and supportive services needed by program participants in order to successfully complete their contracted goals.
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Addressing service issues that are identified as barriers to FSS families becoming economically self-sufficient.
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Providing FSS families with a service plan that is based on their strengths and needs and realistic outcomes.
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Implementing a case management system with the FSS Coordinator's support that will encourage and support FSS families to become self-sufficient.
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Providing ongoing evaluation to address program effectiveness.
Goal achievement and asset building are important elements of successful program completion. Once enrolled, FSS participant families are required to develop a five-year Individual Training and Services Plan that charts the steps needed to achieve mutually identified goals. Goals might include, for example, obtaining a G.E.D or college degree, gaining employment or finding a new job with higher earnings, starting a business or buying a home via participation in the HCR Section 8 Homeownership Program. The family successfully completes the FSS Program when it fulfills all of its obligations under the FSS Contract of Participation on or before the expiration of the contract term.
How to Apply
If you would like more information about the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, see HCR's Statewide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Local Administrator below, or visit the HUD website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fss.
Local Administrators (LA) Network
County | Office Address/ Phone Number |
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ALLEGANY | ACCORD Corporation P.O. Box 573 84 Schuyler Street Belmont, New York 14813 (585) 268-7605 |
CATTARAUGUS | Cattaraugus Development Corporation 132 North Union Street, Suite 110 Olean, NY 14760 (716) 372-2550 |
CHAUTAUQUA | Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. 402 Chandler Street Jamestown, NY 14701 (716) 661-9430 x 210 |
CHEMUNG SCHUYLER & STEUBEN | Arbor Housing & Development 26 Bridge Street Corning, NY 14830 (607) 654-7487 x2015 |
COLUMBIA | Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. 11 Federal Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 372-8846 |
DELAWARE | Delaware Opportunities, Inc. 35430 State Highway 10 Hamden, NY 13782-1112 (607) 746-1650 |
DUTCHESS | PathStone Hollowbrook Office Park, Building 3 29 Marshall Road, Suite 3F Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (845) 298-8998 x 14 |
GENESEE | PathStone Batavia City Centre 106 Main Street, Room 8A Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-3861 |
GREENE | Rural Ulster Preservation Company (845) 331-2140 |
HAMILTON | Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. 11 Federal Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 372-8846 |
HERKIMER | Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. 11 Federal Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 372-8846 |
JEFFERSON | Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. 749 LeRay Street Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 788-0193, Ext. 210 |
LEWIS | Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. 8265 State Rt. 812 Lowville, NY 13367 (315) 376-8202 Ext. 239 |
MADISON | Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. 11 Federal Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 372-8846 |
NASSAU | Community Development Corporation of Long Island 2100 Middle County Road, Suite 300 Centereach, NY 11720 (631) 471-1215, Ext. 159 |
NEW YORK | NY State Division of Housing & Community Renewal Subsidy Services Bureau 25 Beaver Street New York, NY 10004 (212) 480-6487 |
ONTARIO | Geneva Housing Authority 41 Lewis Street PO Box 153 Geneva, NY 14456 (315) 789-8010 |
ORANGE | PathStone Playtogs Plaza 130 Dolson Avenue - Third Floor Middletown, NY 10940 (845) 343-0771 |
PUTNAM | Putnam County Housing Corporation 11 Seminary Hill Road Carmel, NY 10512 (845) 225-8493 |
ROCKLAND | Rockland County Office of Community Development (845) 364-3330 |
ST. LAWRENCE | St. Lawrence County Community Development Program One Commerce Lane Canton, NY 13617 (315) 386-1102, Ext. 34 |
SUFFOLK | Community Development Corporation of Long Island 2100 Middle County Road, Suite 300 Centereach, NY 11720 (631) 471-1215, Ext. 159 |
SULLIVAN | PathStone 457 Broadway, Suite 5 Monticello, NY 12701 (845) 794-4880 |
TOMPKINS | Tompkins Community Action 701 Spencer Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 273-8816, Ext. 121 |
ULSTER | Rural Ulster Preservation Company 289 Fair Street Kingston, NY 12401 (845) 331-2140 |
WASHINGTON | Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. 11 Federal Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 372-8846 |
WAYNE | Community Action in Self-Help Inc. 48 Water Street Lyons, NY 14489 (315) 946-6992 |
WESTCHESTER | CVR New York Westchester County HCV Program White Plains Housing Authority 225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard White Plains, New York 10601 (914) 361-4903 |
WYOMING | Wyoming County Community Action, Inc. 6470 Route 20A, Suite 1 Perry, NY 14530 (585) 237-2600 |
YATES | PathStone Batavia City Centre 106 Main Street, Room 8A Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-3861 |