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“I
really believe the housing support saved us from being homeless at
the time,” said Kristine thinking back on her first years in
Seattle.
On a
referral from her housing case manager she enrolled in the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program, administered by Seattle Housing Authority.
The FSS Program provides Section 8 and Public Housing residents the
opportunity to accumulate savings in order to eventually help buy a
home, repair credit, start a business or pursue education.
A
savings account is established for participants and monthly deposits
are credited to the account when their rent increases from increases
in earned income. There is a potential match of two to one (up to
$10,000) for every dollar in one's savings if used for home
ownership (based on eligibility and availability of funds).
“The FSS
Program helped me achieve goals in order to hopefully never need
assistance again,” said Kristine. “And to make life better for the
next generation – my kids.”
Participants, with the help of a FSS Program case manager, establish
self-directed goals that relate to their education, employment and
homeownership. For a participant to receive the balance in their
savings, they must accomplish their goals, exceed income limits or
purchase a home within a certain period of time.
Kristine
graduated from the FSS Program this year when she exceeded the
program’s income limits. Over the last seven years she has gradually
made more money and progressed in positions at the financial
institution she first started working at when she moved to Seattle.
“The FSS
Program teaches you to become more self-sufficient,” said Kristine.
“It encourages you to accomplish the goals that you set in order to
reach your full potential.”
Interim
withdrawals from the savings account are available to assist
participants in their efforts to accomplish their goals.
Participants have benefited from taking withdrawals for crucial
needs that lead to becoming more self-sufficient like paying for
child care and unexpected bills.
To
participate in the FSS program residents need to remain in contact
with their case manager, complete all documentation as requested,
continue to work toward established goals throughout participation
and become independent of TANF and GAU for
one year prior to completing the program.
“The
accountability of setting goals with a case manager really helped me
stay on track for where I wanted to be with my goals,” said
Kristine.
Kristine’s case manager, Roger Fujita, said that Kristine’s success
can really be credited to her own ability to stay on track with her
priorities and goals.
“Kristine has ambition and self-motivation,” said Fujita. “She
really wanted to succeed and she did.”
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