5. What families are eligible to
participate in the housing choice voucher FSS program?
Families who receive assistance under the housing choice voucher
program are eligible to participate in the FSS program.
6. Who administers the FSS program?
The FSS program is administered locally by public housing
agencies. The Arlington Housing Authority administers the FSS
program In Arlington.
7. How does AHA obtain funding from HUD to
administer the FSS program?
The AHA relies on its own resources to operate FSS program.
However, under the authority of annual appropriations acts, HUD has
been able to provide some funding for FSS program coordinators to
assist in operating housing choice voucher FSS programs.
8. What requirements must AHA meet to
operate the FSS program?
To operate the FSS program, AHA must establish and maintain an
FSS program coordinating committee and develop an FSS action plan.
The FSS program coordinating committee assists in the development of
the action plan and FSS program policies, obtain public and private
supportive services funding and oversee the overall implementation
of the FSS program.
The FSS action plan describes the policies and procedures to
operate an FSS program. The plan also provides an estimate on the
number of eligible families expected to participate and establishes
their supportive service needs. HUD must approve the action plan.
9. Can AHA require families to participate
in FSS?
No. Participation of families in the FSS program is voluntary and
cannot be condition of receiving assistance under the housing choice
voucher program.
10. What requirements must a family meet
to participate in the FSS program?
The AHA and the head of each participating family execute an FSS
contract of participation that specifies the rights and
responsibilities of both parties. The 5-year FSS contract specifies
goals and services for each family. Family members must fulfill all
requirements in order to obtain full benefits.
The FSS contract requires that the family comply with the lease,
that all family members become independent of welfare, and that the
head of the family seek and maintain suitable employment. Possible
sanctions for noncompliance with the FSS contract are termination
from the FSS program, forfeiture of the FSS escrow account,
withholding or termination of supportive services, and termination
of housing choice voucher assistance.
11. What is the FSS escrow account?
An interest-bearing FSS escrow account is established by the AHA
for each participating family. An escrow credit, based on increases
in earned income of the family, is credited to this account by the
AHA during the term of the FSS contract. The AHA may make a portion
of this escrow account available to the family during the term of
the contract to enable the family to complete an interim goal such
as education.
If the family completes the contract and no member of the family
is receiving welfare, the amount of the FSS account is paid to the
head of the family. If the AHA terminates the FSS contract, or if
the family fails to complete the contract before its expiration, the
family's FSS escrow funds are forfeited.
12. What are the responsibilities of the
FSS Program Coordinators?
FSS program coordinators assure that FSS program participants are
linked to the supportive services they need to achieve economic
self-sufficiency.
13. Does a family have to give up its
rental assistance after the family completes its FSS contract?
No. Although it is hoped that families will no longer need
housing assistance upon completion of the FSS program, some families
that complete the program will still need assistance for housing.
The law provides that a family may complete its FSS contract and
receive its escrow while continuing to receive housing assistance
under the voucher program.
14. What regulations cover this program?
Regulations are found at
24 CFR 984
