FSS & ROSS Program

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and Resident Opportunity for self-Sufficiency (ROSS) program provide residents with supportive services, resident empowerment activities, and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient

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Greetings from CEO

Hello!
I’m Larissa Deedrich, the Executive Director of the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority.  You have taken the first step in learning about our FSS and ROSS programs, and I am so excited for you. The Family Self-Sufficiency and Resident Opportunity programs are designed to give our residents and their families the confidence and resources they need to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of access to better jobs, better education, and the overall realization of their goals.   Our staff and community partners are ready to listen to you and learn about your goals so that we can work with you to develop a customized plan that fits your needs. 
Again, congratulations on taking this important first step and we look forward to hearing from you!  

Program Overview

Family self-sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program designed to help Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program participants work towards financial independence and greater self-sufficiency. Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority partners with social service agencies, schools, businesses, and other community partners to develop a program that gives participants the support, skills, and experience to enable them to obtain fulfilling permanent employment and accomplish their goals.

How Does It Work

Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)

A free program designed to help DRHA Section 8 and Public Housing families obtain long term goals for career, education, and financial benefit to live independent of government assistance.


How it works

Step 1:
The Head of Household must be willing to find a full-time job and commit to the program for 5 years

Step 2:
Do Assessments & Set Goals! There are two main goals to meet.

Step 3:
Receive Supportive Services to help while you work on your goals

Resident Opportunity Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS)

The ROSS program links residents of public housing and housing funded through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) to supportive services and activities, enabling them to make progress towards economic independence and housing selfsufficiency.


How it works

Step 1:
Program linkages to community resources

Step 2:
Through case management, needs assessments, and referrals to community and web-based services, ROSS Service Coordinators help each participant advance towards their goals.

Service Coordination

Both programs allow residents to reach goals with the help of a Service Coordinator. Service Coordinators help you navigate the best options and fits for your life by connecting you to the right services and other supportive services.
You must work closely with your service coordinator to ensure you get the best possible outcomes by doing the following:

  • Keep and be on time for all your appointments.
  • Be coachable and willing to do the work to meet your goals.
  • Make your service coordinator aware of any changes that may affect your eligibility for service(s)

If you are ready to get started in either program or unsure of the best program to fit your needs, you may use the contact information on the back or fill out the information card and return it to your property manager.

What they Said

Wanda Graves

Resident Service Coordinator, DRHA

With the support of the “FSS” program, I was able to start my own in-home daycare called “Home Away From Home.”  I wanted to help working parents be able to afford a safe and affordable place to bring their children. Pretty soon I was earning income that allowed me to escrow. Graduating the program and getting monies that was saved allowed me to purchase things that I not only needed but wanted where I couldn’t have done so before

Our Partners

Frequenty Asked Questions

The purpose of this program is to connect our clients with public and private employment, social and economic resources to affect positive changes in their lives, leading to their independence from all forms of public assistance.
YES! If the family’s earned income increases, the housing authority compares the family rent to the baseline rent when a Contract of Participation (COP) is signed, and in most cases, the difference is escrowed.
The Contract of Participation is a signed agreement between DRHA and the participant acknowledging the client’s desire and willingness to work with the FSS coordinator to achieve self-sufficiency over a 5 year period of time.
When you first decide to participate in the program, you will have an appointment with the FSS program coordinator. In that appointment, you will be helped in identifying your needs, goals, and identifying obstacles. Your coordinator will network with other agencies to help you overcome those obstacles and to achieve your goals. Also at the first appointment, you will receive a copy of "Responsibilities of the participant". It outlines not only what you must communicate, but what we must communicate to you. You will also be signing an Action Plan and be expected to seek and maintain employment.
An Action Plan is a specific plan designed to assist you with identifying your strengths, goals, handicaps, needs, and abilities. Once identified, together we have a realistic idea of what it is going to take, and possibly how long it will take to accomplish the goals to ensure your long and short-term success. The following criteria are necessary to create an action plan: *An action plan is essential and must coincide with your COP *other adult family members can choose to have an action plan *Available resources and services will be noted *it will have short and long term goals *one final goal is always obtaining and maintaining suitable employment *another final goal is to be free from all forms of public assistance (TANF, Food stamps) *interim goals will be completed before the contract expires.
It simply means that the head of the HCV household is obligated to find and continue to be gainfully employed. If employment is not met, then it is up to the head of the household to prove that they have made consistent attempts at employment. We do this through written and verbal notice. Employment is based upon an individual’s applicable circumstances and is defined by those circumstances. It is acceptable to work part-time and go to school part-time, or even go to school full-time and before their contract expires, obtain employment.
An escrow account is a special savings account created specifically and only for FSS participants, as an incentive reward for attaining self-sufficiency. As a Section 8 recipient and FSS participant, you are eligible to escrow a percentage of any increase in your earned income since your contract of participation date. If the family’s earned income increases, the MHA compares the family rent to the baseline rent, and in most cases, escrowed.
FSS participants receive access to the full balance of their escrow accounts upon graduation from the program. FSS program coordinators make the determination of whether participants have met their Individual Training and Services Plan (ITSP) and Contract of Participation (CoP) goals and can “graduate” from FSS. In order to graduate, the head of household must be employed, and the family must be independent of welfare cash assistance (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)).
FSS participants have up to five years to graduate from the program and may request an extension of up to two years if needed to complete their CoP goals, for a total of seven years. FSS programs have the discretion to decide whether to approve the extension requests. FSS participants may also graduate before the CoP’s expiration date.
Yes, upon graduation, the escrow can be used for anything you like, including paying debts, buying a home or car, starting a business, and paying school loans. If you owe money to the housing authority however, we will automatically deduct the amount owed from your escrow before giving it to you.
Your escrow stops until you find another job. It will remain "frozen" until then.
The ROSS program links residents of public housing and housing funded through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) to supportive services and activities, enabling them to make progress towards economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. Grantees can identify additional goals based on the needs of the public and Indian housing communities they serve.
Any resident of in the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority
For families, the ROSS program is intended to enable participants to:
  • Make progress toward economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
  • Reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance; and
  • Increase earned income.

For elderly (age 62+) participants and persons with disabilities, the ROSS program aims to:
  • Enhance quality of life by connecting residents to services and activities.
  • Enable participants to age/remain in place

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