Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators (ROSS SC)

What is the ROSS Service Coordinators (ROSS SC) program?

The Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators (ROSS SC) program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to help residents of Public Housing and Indian Housing move toward greater economic and housing self-sufficiency by funding a dedicated Service Coordinator position focused on connecting residents to existing supportive services and organizing local partnerships.

What is the main purpose of the grant?

The main purpose is to strengthen local service coordination systems around Public Housing and Indian Housing residents. The program funds coordination capacity so residents can access available community services more easily, with goals such as increased employment and earned income, reduced reliance on public assistance, progress toward economic independence, and improved stability and independence for elderly or disabled residents.

Does ROSS SC pay for supportive services directly (like childcare or job training)?

No. A key feature of ROSS SC is that it focuses on coordination rather than direct service delivery. Grant funds cannot be used to directly provide supportive services such as childcare, job training, transportation, counseling, or health services. Instead, the Service Coordinator helps residents connect to services that already exist through community partners and agencies.

What does a ROSS Service Coordinator do?

The Service Coordinator functions as a connector and planner. Typical responsibilities described in the opportunity include building referral networks, setting up partnerships and agreements, coordinating with local organizations and agencies, tracking participant progress, reducing duplication across providers, and helping residents navigate complex systems to access the services they need.

Who is the program designed to serve?

The program is intended to support residents of Public Housing and Indian Housing. For families and working-age residents, the emphasis is on moving toward economic and housing self-sufficiency. For elderly or disabled residents, the emphasis shifts toward improving day-to-day living conditions and supporting independence so residents can safely remain in their homes and age in place.

Who can apply for ROSS SC funding?

Eligible applicants include Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), tax-exempt nonprofit organizations (including grassroots, faith-based, and other community-based organizations that have resident or housing entity support), and eligible resident-led organizations that HUD describes under the umbrella term "Resident Association."

What does HUD mean by "Resident Association" for eligibility purposes?

HUD uses "Resident Association" as an umbrella term covering multiple eligible resident organization structures. Examples listed include resident councils, citywide resident organizations, jurisdiction-wide groups, regional and statewide resident organizations, resident management corporations, and tribal/TDHE resident groups.

Can a nonprofit organization apply, or is this only for housing authorities?

Nonprofits can apply. Unlike some related HUD programs limited to PHAs and tribes/TDHEs, ROSS SC is broadly open to PHAs, tribes/TDHEs, tax-exempt nonprofits (including faith-based and community-based groups with resident or housing entity support), and resident associations.

How long is the funding period under ROSS SC?

ROSS SC provides three years of funding, according to the information in the notice.

Is a match required?

Yes. The notice states that ROSS SC requires a 25 percent match by statute.

How is ROSS SC different from HUD's Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency (PH FSS) program?

The notice describes several practical differences. PH FSS is limited to PHAs and tribes/TDHEs, includes a participant escrow account requirement, and generally provides one year of funding. ROSS SC is available to PHAs and tribes/TDHEs as well as nonprofits and resident associations, provides three years of funding, allows administrative expenses and training as eligible uses, and requires a 25 percent match.

Can a PHA or tribe hold both a ROSS SC grant and a PH FSS grant at the same time?

Yes. HUD notes that a PHA or tribe can hold grants under both programs at the same time, which can allow communities to blend approaches, as long as each grant is managed according to its specific rules.

What costs can grant funds pay for under this opportunity?

The opportunity indicates that grant funds can pay for the Service Coordinator position and related allowable program costs. It also notes that administrative expenses and training are eligible uses under ROSS SC (as highlighted in the comparison to PH FSS). At the same time, the notice emphasizes that funds cannot be used to directly provide supportive services.

What are the expected outcomes HUD is looking for?

Measurable goals described in the notice include employment and earned income growth, reduced welfare dependence, progress toward economic independence, and improved stability and independence (particularly for elderly or disabled residents).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this grant?

The funding opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number FR-5700-N-07 under CFDA 14.870 (Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators).

How many awards did HUD anticipate making?

HUD anticipated making about 110 awards.

When was this opportunity posted, and what were the deadlines listed?

The opportunity was posted January 2, 2013. It listed an original closing date of February 19, 2013, and a later current closing date of April 30, 2013. The archive date listed was May 5, 2013.

What did HUD say about FY 2013 funding availability?

The notice included a caveat that FY 2013 funding had not yet been appropriated at the time of posting, meaning actual award availability depended on future Congressional action. HUD also indicated it could modify deadlines or issue technical corrections if final appropriations required changes to criteria, estimated award amounts, or application requirements.

If an applicant already submitted by the February 19, 2013 deadline, did they need to resubmit?

No. The notice states that applicants who already submitted by the February 19, 2013 deadline did not need to resubmit unless HUD later provided instructions to address revised requirements.

Who is the HUD contact for questions about this announcement?

The listed HUD contact is the ROSS Program Manager, Dina Lehmann Kim, at 202-402-2430.