ROSS and FSS Programs

Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS)

The ROSS program utilizes a ROSS Service Coordinator to link public housing residents with supportive services, resident empowerment activities and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient. The ROSS Service Coordinator assesses the needs of residents of FHA and coordinates available resources in the community to meet those needs. This program works to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the Public Housing program with public and private resources, for supportive services and resident empowerment activities.

These services should enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency, or, in the case of elderly or disabled residents, help improve living conditions and enable residents to age-in-place.

To learn more about FHA’s Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency program or to apply, contact Tena Hardy at 615-794-1247 ext. 3, ext. 4.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

The Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency Program (PH-FSS) is promoted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is designed to help families living in public housing developments create plans to move toward independence and reduce or eliminate their needs for public assistance.  Created in 1990 through the National Affordable Housing Act, FSS has helped thousands of families across the country.

The program, which can take up to 5 years to complete, offers families the chance to control their own success by planning work and life goals of their choosing, becoming networked to services for the whole family and giving valuable input into the program itself through participation on an FSS committee.  It also allows them to create savings that will become theirs when they complete the program.

Once selected, the head of family completes an individual plan (ITSP) and signs a Contract of Participation.  Progress is supported and monitored by confidential case management services.

Eligibility and Selection:

If you are a resident at Franklin Housing Authority, you may be eligible for the FSS program. Contact Cecil Johnson at 615-794-1247 ext. 3, ext. 5.to find out more and be placed on the mailing list.  You will be mailed a fact sheet and further instructions on what to do to be considered for the program.  Residents will be given many chances to show interest before the program begins. Information will be given through the newsletter, flyers, meetings and mailings to keep residents aware of FSS sign up requirements.

Since the slots are limited (currently we only have room for 25 households), priority in selection will be based on the following:

Please note: Residents who are not current with their rent or other payments to FHA will not be selected.

To learn more about FHA’s Family Self Sufficiency program or to apply, contact Cecil Johnson at 615-794-1247 ext. 3, ext. 5.