Family Self-Sufficiency/Homeownership for Public Housing Residents

Administered by Allegheny County Housing Authority's Resident Services Department

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)?
Family Self-Sufficiency is a program designed to help families become economically independent by creating a family plan for the future. Available community resources are accessed to help the family achieve their goals.

Who can participant in this program?
Anyone who is currently receiving rental assistance from
Allegheny County Housing Authority.

Why should you participate in Family Self-Sufficiency?
Financial Independence! Participating families move toward financial independence while saving money for homeownership, education, transportation and other job related expenses.

How do I save money?
FSS participants sign a Contract of Participation and complete a Family Development Plan that outlines the family's goals and objectives. The rent payment amount upon entrance to the program is the family's baseline. As the family's rent increases the amount paid in rent above the baseline is escrowed (saved for the family) by ACHA. The family will be able to access this amount when:
1. The family has reached its goals and objectives developed in the Family Development Plan and
2. The family has been free of welfare assistance for at least one year and
3. The family has complied with the lease agreement and
4. The family has obtained and maintained suitable employment and
5. The family has reported their progress to the FSS support staff on a monthly basis.

What will you do to help me reach my goals?
ACHA staff supports the family's efforts to achieve these goals by making referrals to participating agencies. Referrals may include:
• Child Care
• GED Preparation
• Job Search Assistance
• Counseling
• Job Training
• Budgeting
• Assertiveness Skills Training
• Marketable Skills Development
• Credit Counseling
• Support Groups
• Homeownership Counseling

Why the emphasis on Homeownership Counseling?
Great Investment:
Homeownership is a family's best investment. Especially now that interest rates are at all time lows.
See HUDs website for more information...

Children do better in school:
Parents who own their own home may be helping boost their children's educational achievements and even reduce behavioral problems, according to a new nationwide study.
The research showed that for children living in owned homes rather than rental units, math achievement scores are up to 9 percent higher, reading achievement is up to 7 percent higher and behavioral problems are 1 to 3 percent lower. The results held true after the researchers took into account a multitude of factors that may have influenced the findings, such as the fact that homeowners earn more and have higher levels of education than renters.

"Homeownership itself is good for children," says Donald Haurin, co-author of the study and professor of economics at Ohio State University.

We can help:
For more in formation or to make an appointment on FSS and homeownership, please call the ACHA Resident Services Department at 412.402.2523.
For a printable copy of FSS Application (PDF), click here