Multifamily Housing Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that enables HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. FSS promotes local strategies to connect HUD-assisted families with public and private resources that help them progress toward economic independence.

Owners of privately-owned HUD-assisted Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA, also known as Multifamily) housing with Section 8 contracts can voluntarily establish and operate an FSS program at their housing sites. Participation in the FSS program is voluntary for families living in these properties.

The FSS program helps assisted housing residents increase their earnings and build financial assets. The program has two key features:

A financial incentive for residents to increase their earnings in the form of an escrow account that grows as residents’ earnings increase. The escrow account helps residents build savings that they can use to improve their quality of life and advance their personal goals.
Case management or coaching to help residents access services they may need to overcome barriers to employment and strengthen their financial capabilities.

NOTE: This page is for FSS programs serving residents of HUD-assisted multifamily housing. For information on FSS programs serving public housing residents or Housing Choice Voucher holders, visit the Public and Indian Housing (PIH) FSS page on HUD.gov.

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FSS Final Rule

On June 16, 2022, the Final Rule for FSS went into effect. The final rule streamlines and updates FSS for Multifamily owners; all projects with existing FSS programs must update their Action Plans and have them approved by HUD by November 14, 2022 to comply with the new regulations. For more information on the final rule, including a sample Action Plan and required Action Plan Checklist, please visit the PIH FSS page on HUD.gov. Please reach out to the FSS mailbox, MF_FSS@hud.gov, with any questions.

What is FSS?

This video, produced by Compass Working Capital, provides an overview of the FSS program.

View the video | View the transcript

FSS Program Guidebook for Owners of Project-Based Section 8 Developments

Resources for Owners of Project-Based Section 8 Developments

This guidebook provides owners with information on promising practices that can help them establish and run an effective FSS program.

Additionally, the PIH FSS page on HUD.gov has a range of helpful resources for owners interested in starting FSS programs at their properties. An additional guidebook for all FSS program operators will be published in late Fall 2022 and available on the HUD.gov page.

Multifamily FSS Resources on HUD.gov

The Multifamily Housing page on HUD.gov has a number of helpful resources, including:

Additional resources to be posted on HUD.gov include the new narrative reporting format and sample cooperative agreement.

Explore additional training and resources available on the HUD Exchange.

View More FSS Resources and Training

Contacts and Mailing List

Sign up for the FSS Mailing List. This mailing list is run by HUD’s Office of Public Housing and includes information relevant for all FSS program operators.

You may also submit inquiries to: MF_FSS@hud.gov.

Reporting

As of June 2022, owners are required to submit annual reports for FSS that cover the most recent fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). Annual report submissions include the submission of the reporting tool, and reports must be submitted to Account Executives no later than 30 days following the end of the fiscal year. Note that FY 2022 reporting has been delayed until January 2023. More information will be communicated to owners closer to the deadline.

Multifamily FSS News & Announcements

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New Multifamily FSS Resources - Launch Your Program

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How to Start a FSS Program at Your Property

Before implementing a FSS program, an owner must have a HUD-approved Action Plan that complies with the requirements of Housing Notice H-2016-08 and the 2022 FSS Final Rule; all properties must have Action Plans that meet the requirements of this rule.

The Action Plan should be developed in consultation with the public and private entities that will provide tenant services and/or other resources for the operation of the FSS program. The Action Plan must be submitted with the Action Plan Checklist, available on the PIH FSS page on HUD.gov.

To be considered for approval, owners must:

Submit the Action Plan to the HUD incoming mailbox where they submit other servicing items. If owners do not know their incoming mailbox address, they should email their Account Executive.
Attach the Action Plan to the email as a PDF, Microsoft Word file, or other text file, together with the Action Plan Checklist.
Include the words "Action Plan" in the subject line along with the project name and contract number.
- Example: Action Plan Brightwood Place IL06M123456
The property’s Account Executive will review the Action Plan and Checklist to ensure compliance with regulations. Once approved, the Account Executive will submit the Action Plan to the MF_FSS@hud.gov mailbox and send the owner/agent an FSS approval letter.

If an owner is requesting to fund an FSS program coordinator through the use of residual receipts, then the owner must complete form HUD-9250, "Funds Authorizations", and submit it as an attachment along with the Action Plan in the email sent to HUD. Refer to Section III.A of the Notice H-2016-08 for more information.

PBRA owners should also be aware of annual Notices of Funding Opportunity for the FSS program. As of 2022, PBRA properties are eligible for HUD program funding. NOFO announcements are posted on the Funding Opportunities page on HUD.gov and communicated through HUD listservs.