What is Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)?

Boston Housing Authority provides participants in the federally-funded Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) the opportunity to save part of their rent increase when they earn more money at work through the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.

What is FSS?

The FSS program is designed to support you in accomplishing your goals and building a stable financial future. It is a voluntary program that BHA runs in partnership with Compass Working Capital, a nonprofit financial services organization that supports families with low incomes to save for their future and achieve their goals. Learn more at Compass Working Capital.

How does it work?

FSS is a voluntary five-year program. In the program, you will:

• Set your own long-term goals. In the FSS Program, you establish long-term goals and work with a Financial Coach to achieve them. Some goals include: going back to school, saving for retirement, buying a home, starting a business, paying down debt, and more.

• Work one-on-one with a Financial Coach. You’ll meet regularly with your Compass Financial Coach, who will help you build a customized plan that supports you in your income, credit, debt, savings, and long-term goals.

• Build savings with the FSS Savings Account. In the FSS Program, you are rewarded when you earn more money at work. When you, or a household member, increase your earned income (by a raise, new job or extra hours), you get to save part of your monthly rent increase in your FSS Savings Account. You can use these savings towards your goals in the program.

Where can I find more information?

For more information on this program, please see this fact sheet and frequently asked questions.
You can also view the FSS Frequently Asked Questions in Spanish and Chinese.

How do I join?

You can apply for the program here. If you would prefer a paper application, or one in an alternative language, you can get one here:

• FSS Application - English

• FSS Application - Spanish

• FSS Application - Haitian Creole

• FSS Application - Portuguese

• FSS Application - Arabic

Please mail all completed paper applications to:

     Compass Working Capital
     Attn: BHA FSS
     89 South Street, Suite 804
     Boston, MA 02111

Where Can I Find More Information About Leased Housing's Homeownership Program?

For more information please see the BHA First Home Program and BHA Section 8 to Homeownership Program Fact Sheet.

To find out if you may qualify for BHA's homeownership program, please complete the BHA First Home Program Interest Form.

Family Self Sufficiency Success Stories

BHA's Family Self Sufficiency program graduates 92 voucher participants, helps them pursue homeownership, higher education, jobs and savings

The Family Self Sufficiency program (FSS) helps Boston Housing Authority voucher participants to save money and meet their personal, professional and educational goals. 

This year, the BHA Family Self Sufficiency program held a graduation for 92 Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participants for the class of 2021.

FSS is a voluntary five year program to assist BHA voucher participants in meeting their personal and financial goals. Participants work one-on-one with a Financial Coach from Compass Working Capital, helping them build a customized plan that supports them in their  income, credit, debt, savings, and long-term goals. Participants are awarded for increasing their income at work, allowing them to save a portion of their rent increase in a special FSS Savings Escrow Account, and put that money towards education, debt repayment and even homeownership. Learn more about FSS homeownership opportunities in this video.

The through the program, this year’s graduates saved a combined escrow of $823,054.57. Through the program residents were able to improve credit scores, pay down/pay off debt, buy new cars, increase savings (whether that be for for retirement, children’s education), and even buy a first home. The Graduation video is here.

Torri is a proud single mother. With the help of the FSS program, she got a better paying job, increased her credit score from the 500’s to a credit score in 700’s and bought her first house.  Hear Torri's story.

Markeith earned $30,000 in escrow through the FSS program. He used some of the money to help his daughter get her first apartment, buy furniture and make repairs to her car before she had her first child. He saved the remainder in a savings account for a rainy day fund or for using it as a down payment for homeownership. Hear Markeith's story.

BHA recently began a partnership with Compass Working Capital to expand its FSS program and reach a greater number of people. If you're interested in participating in the FSS program, click here.