Family Self-Sufficiency
The Family Self-Sufficiency program helps people living in public housing, or receiving Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) assistance, work toward goals for education, job training, starting a business, or buying a home.
Family Self-Sufficiency program staff and community partners provide support, information, and resources to help you accomplish goals that you set. This could include child care, transportation, education, job training and employment counseling, substance abuse treatment or counseling, household skill training, and homeownership counseling.
If you're accepted to the program, an escrow account will be established in your name. Monthly deposits are credited to the account when your rent goes up as a result of increases in your earned income. Withdrawals from the account are available to help you accomplish your goals.
Once you complete the program you receive your escrow account balance. You have up to five years to complete your goals after entering the program.
Eligibility
Residents living in Seattle Housing Authority's public housing programs, or receiving Housing Choice Voucher Program assistance, are eligible. If you are enrolled in the public housing Tenant Trust Account program, any balance in your trust account will be transferred over to the Family Self-Sufficiency program if you are accepted.
You have up to five years to complete your goals after entering the program.
How to apply
If you are eligible, apply by sending your name, address, phone number, and Social Security number to:
Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Seattle Housing Authority
P.O. Box 19028
Seattle, WA 98109-1028
Eligible applicants will be notified when their name is reached on the waiting list.
Program requirements
If you are accepted into the Family Self-Sufficiency program, you need to remain in contact with program staff, complete all documents as requested, and continue to work toward your goals. To receive the balance of your savings, you must accomplish your goals, exceed income limits, or purchase a home within five years. You must also become independent of TANF and GAU for one year before you complete the program.
Contact this program
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Supervisor
Cheryl Sabin: 206-615-3317
Housing Choice Voucher Program Specialists
Laura Etling: 206-615-3312
Carol Smith: 206-615-3313
Roger Fujita: 206-615-3319
Low Income Public Housing Program Specialist
Sophia Phillips: 206-615-3318
Homeownership Specialist
Donnell McGee: 206-615-3498
The Family Self-Sufficiency program is located at Seattle Housing Authority’s Central Office: 120 Sixth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109.
