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Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency (HCV FSS) Grant (FR-5600-N-09) FAQs

What is the HCV Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) grant opportunity?

The Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency (HCV FSS) grant (Funding Opportunity Number FR-5600-N-09) is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding opportunity designed to help Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) households move toward long-term economic stability and self-sufficiency. It is built around using housing assistance as a stable base so families can focus on increasing earned income, improving job skills, and strengthening financial capability.

What is the main goal of the HCV FSS program described in this opportunity?

The overall goal is to coordinate the Housing Choice Voucher program with community-based public and private resources so participating households can increase earned income, build financial literacy, reduce reliance on welfare assistance, and progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency.

How does the program approach self-sufficiency for participating families?

The opportunity emphasizes linking voucher participants to supportive services that address barriers to employment and advancement. These services may include job training, education programs, childcare resources, transportation supports, credit-building help, and related supports. The intent is to create real pathways to jobs and career progression, not just referrals.

What is the role of the FSS Program Coordinator under this grant?

A central feature of this opportunity is funding focused on the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator role. The coordinator is responsible for connecting participating families to supportive services, maintaining partnerships with local employers and workforce and service providers, and overseeing day-to-day program integrity tied to each participant's Contract of Participation.

What kinds of supportive services are referenced in the opportunity?

The grant description references supportive services such as job training, education programs, childcare resources, transportation supports, credit-building assistance, and other services aimed at removing barriers to employment and advancement.

What partnership responsibilities are expected of the FSS Program Coordinator?

The coordinator is expected to build and maintain partnerships with local employers, workforce agencies, and service providers so participating families have realistic pathways to employment and career progression.

What program integrity and compliance responsibilities are included for the coordinator?

The coordinator must help ensure that services listed in each participant's Contract of Participation are delivered consistently and satisfactorily, that participants are meeting their responsibilities under those contracts, and that eligible families have FSS escrow accounts established and properly maintained.

What is an FSS escrow account in the context of this opportunity?

The opportunity states that eligible families must have FSS escrow accounts established and properly maintained as part of program administration. (The opportunity description does not provide additional escrow calculation details beyond this requirement.)

Which HUD program category and CFDA number are tied to this funding opportunity?

This HUD opportunity is categorized under housing assistance and is associated with CFDA 14.871 (Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers).

What was the estimated total funding available?

The estimated total funding available for this competition was $60,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility was limited to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) that either (1) already administer an HCV FSS program, or (2) have HUD field office approval of an FSS Action Plan authorizing them to implement an HCV FSS program.

Can an organization apply if it is not a Public Housing Agency (PHA)?

Based on the eligibility statement provided, the funding was intended for PHAs meeting the specified criteria (already operating HCV FSS or approved to implement it). The information provided does not indicate eligibility for non-PHA organizations applying independently.

What does HUD field office approval of an FSS Action Plan mean for eligibility?

The opportunity explains that a PHA could be eligible if it has HUD field office approval of an FSS Action Plan that authorizes the PHA to implement an HCV FSS program. In practical terms, this means the funding was aimed at agencies already running FSS or that completed the required planning and approvals to launch it.

What was the posting date and application deadline for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on February 16, 2012, and the application closing date was April 24, 2012.

When was this funding opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on May 1, 2012.

How were applicants instructed to access the official application materials?

HUD directed users to download the application package and instructions using the CFDA number only.

What phone number was provided for application questions or access issues?

HUD provided support through the Public and Indian Housing Resource Center at 800-955-2232.

Was TTY support listed for applicants who need it?

Yes. TTY access was provided through the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

Is this opportunity directly tied to Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participants?

Yes. The opportunity is specifically designed around Housing Choice Voucher participants and coordination of the Section 8 voucher program with supportive services and community resources.