About the FSS program:

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program was adopted by the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Fresno in 1993, and designed as a means to improve Fresno County communities by eliminating barriers to economic self-sufficiency at the individual and family level. Since it’s inception, the FSS program continues to be a leading agency in the nation, and has been consistently successful in its efforts in helping participants reach their goals of obtaining the job skills necessary to gain and retain employment that will provide a living wage and allow them to achieve self-reliance.

FSS has a 99% program success rate, meaning that all graduates from the FSS program have maintained their family’s economic status independent of any public assistance. This benefits our community by reducing governmental dependence, yielding more tax paying citizens and boosting local businesses by increasing Fresno’s consumer base as well as building a stronger workforce.

The FSS Corps, Inc, a (Program Coordinating Committee) is a non-profit organization.  The FSS Corps, oversees the implementation and expansion of the FSS program. The FSS program does not receive government funding for program participants and therefore relies on fundraisers, grants and donations from the private sector to supply additional services and emergency support to over 2,000 families participating in the program.

In 2007, FSS Celebrated:

• 355 Participants started an interest bearing escrow account, demonstrating an increase in their earned income.
  
• 1,476 Participants completed personal and professional development workshops.
  
• 24 Families reached the American Dream of purchasing a home.
  
• $39,548 On average is deposited monthly into escrow accounts for FSS participants.
  

FSS is designed to bring motivated individuals into the program and guide them to set goals. They establish a 5-year action plan for success.  This plan enables them to utilize community resources and services to reach these goals, and finally move themselves up and out of government assistance with the ultimate goal of attaining home ownership at program completion.

FSS works to help participants overcome barriers to employment, poor credit, lack of education, childcare issues, etc.  FSS also provides educational workshops addressing issues such as conflict resolution, financial literacy, stress management, job retention, predatory lending and homeownership.

FSS Participants create a 5-Year Action Plan

• Maintain Monthly Contact with Coordinator
• Attend Personal and Professional Development Workshops
• Attend School
• Become Gainfully Employed
• Work on Credit
• Attend HEC Class
• Give Up Cash Assistance
• Graduate
• Purchase a Home