Evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program: Prospective Study

Abstract

The Evaluation of FSS Program: Prospective Study examined Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program characteristics in a representative sample of 100 housing agencies. The study also followed a group of 181 FSS participants in 14 programs, observing their FSS experiences and outcomes. After 4 years in the FSS program, 24 percent of the study participants completed program requirements and graduated from FSS. When the study ended, 37 percent had left the program without graduating and 39 percent were still enrolled in FSS. Program graduates were more likely to be employed than other exiters or the still-enrolled participants. Program graduates also had higher incomes, both when they enrolled in FSS and when they completed the program, than participants with other outcomes. Staying employed and increasing their earned incomes helped graduates to accumulate substantial savings in the FSS escrow account. The average escrow account balance was $5,294 for program graduates, representing about 27 percent of their average household income at the time of program enrollment.

Keywords: Affordable Housing, Public and Assisted Housing, Publications, Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 & Project-Based Section 8