West Palm Beach Housing Authority

Community Partners

http://www.wpbha.org/

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

The National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 created the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program to promote economic self-sufficiency among participating families. This program is specifically for the West Palm Beach Housing Authority current residents of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing.

  • Eligible families are connected with the appropriate support services and resources in their communities needed to move the family toward economic self-sufficiency and free of public assistance.
  • FSS offers a financial incentive to families through establishment of an escrow/savings account which becomes available to the family upon successful completion of their Contract of Participation, and upon achievement of final goals.
  • The FSS program provides support and assistance to participants for up to five years. They must have the desire to become self-sufficient and willingness to comply to the mutually agreed action plan to reach final goal.
  • The initial Contract term is five years, with one allowable extension for up to two years. The contract goals and services for each family members must fulfill all requirements in order to obtain full benefits.
  • Participation of families in the FSS Program is voluntary.
  • FSS family must apply for employment, attend job interviews, and comply with PHA’s definition of seeking and maintaining employment. FSS Head of Household is required to obtain employment as condition of completing the contract goals.
  • All family members must be free of welfare assistance for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the expiration of contract.
  • FSS Family members must comply with the terms of the lease and the Section 8 family obligations as prescribed by the Housing Authority.

What services are provided through the FSS Program?

  • Credit Counseling
  • Job Training & Employment Counseling
  • Financial Coaching
  • Entrepreneurial Training
  • Money Management
  • Homeownership Education/Counseling

Housing Counseling Program

West Palm Beach Housing is a public agency and HUD-approved housing counseling agency.  We provide the following housing counseling and education workshops for free:

  • Financial Management / Budget Counseling: This is a one-on-one session where a counselor will help a client calculate income and develop a realistic spending plan.
  • Mortgage Delinquency & Default Resolution Counseling: This is a one-on-one session where a counselor will review mortgage documents and provide an overview of mortgage workout options.
  • Pre-Purchase Counseling: This is a one-on-one session where a counselor determines a client’s home readiness and discusses the home buying process.
  • Rental Housing Counseling: This is a one-on-one session that will discuss, housing selection, money management, landlord tenant laws and lease application process.
  • Fair Housing Pre-Purchase Education Workshop: This group education workshop will cover the Fair Housing Act, who is protected and what is prohibited.
  • Financial Budgeting, and Credit Workshops: These group education workshops will provide an overview on budgeting, savings, SMART goals, managing credit and identity theft prevention.
  • Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop: This group education workshop will help homeowners’ understand how to manage their mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance and budget for emergencies.
  • Predatory Lending Education Workshop: This group education workshop will provide clients with an overview of predatory practices and how to protect themselves.
  • Pre-Purchase Home Buyer Workshop: This group education workshop will discuss the mortgage lending process, how to shop for a home, inspections, homeowner’s insurance and down payment assistance programs.
  • Rental Housing Workshop: This group education workshop will focus on fair housing, renter’s rights, household management and budgeting.
  • Resolving / Preventing Mortgage Delinquency Workshop: This group education workshop will provide an overview of mortgage assistance options and contributing factors to foreclosure and how to prepare for unexpected changes.

We serve all clients regardless of income, race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, family status, disability, or sexual orientation/gender identity. We administer our programs in conformity with local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws, including the federal Fair Housing Act (42 USC 3600, et seq.)