PARTICIPANT RESOURCES

+ How does the FSS Program work?

The FSS Program is a cooperative program that provides support and assistance to your family for up to five years. The head of household enters into an agreement with ICS in which an action plan is developed that identifies the family's employment goals. It outlines the activities and services required to achieve these goals. Regular contact with us is essential and will provide opportunities to problem-solve obstacles before they arise. An FSS Coordinator will support you, take an interest in your future, and will refer you to public agencies and resources available in Brown County. They will assist you in achieving your objectives.

By combining housing assistance with a number of other services, we can assure better coordination and provide the maximum benefits needed to reach self-sufficiency.

Gradually, as you accomplish increased degrees of self-sufficiency by working and earning more, your portion of rent may go up. Another advantage to the FSS Program is that as this happens, we will establish an escrow account that will be awarded to you when you've successfully completed your FSS Contract of Participation. This account automatically saves for you and could be a boost in reaching any goals or personal endeavors you may have. You will not have to give up your voucher when the contract is completed, but hopefully you will no longer need assistance at that point. You can even join the FSS Program if you are presently working or are in school. You are not required to be on any public assistance other than the Housing Choice Voucher Program in order to qualify.

+ What kinds of resources are available?

Your FSS Coordinator is knowledgeable about many supportive services in the community. We will assess your needs and refer you for the services you need. Some of the services could include workshops in resume writing, skill building, interviewing techniques, completing or adding to your education, job training, job placement, educational programs, career counseling, physical and mental health clinics, household budgeting, credit counseling, debt management and consolidation, home ownership, nutrition, parenting and many other services. Through collaboration with other providers, we also offer many opportunities unique to FSS participants such as Life Skills workshops, a quarterly newsletter, Women's Retreats, and much more.

+ What's the catch?

You must be receiving Housing Choice Voucher in order to participate in the FSS Program. To complete the program, you must meet all the goals and activities you've established for your family and be free of "welfare" (as defined by the FSS Program). Another way of completing the program is to simply increase your household income so that 30% of your monthly income is greater than the Fair Market Rent for your family size. This means that if another opportunity presents itself and leads you to self-sufficiency, the FSS contract can be considered complete.

+ What will be required of me?

COMMITMENT!!! You will bring your own unique talents, skills, and strengths to the FSS Program. We will require you to be determined and committed in completing the activities listed in your training and services plan. You'll need to keep in touch with us regarding your progress towards self-sufficiency. You will be asked to meet with us occasionally to discuss and update your goals and activities. You must possess motivation and initiative in your quest for economic independence.

+ Why join the FSS Program?

Joining the program could be the key to your family's success. It is designed to assist families just like yours. People join the FSS Program to learn work skills and improve their ability to get and maintain employment. Along with the financial incentive is the feeling of pride when your family is free of all public assistance. Our Family Self-Sufficiency clients make impressive progress towards self-support.

+ Program Qualifications

To qualify for the Brown County Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership program you must:

• Be a current Voucher rental assistance participant or be selected from the waiting list for Voucher assistance.
• Be consistently employed for at least one year (disabled families are exempt from this requirement).
• Earn a minimum annual income of $14,500 or $8,652 if you are disabled and receiving Supplemental Social Securtiy Income.
• Be in compliance with your current lease (you must not break your lease or owe your landlord any money, not leave your unit with damages or past rent or utilities due).
• Be able to secure a mortgage loan from a lender.
• Be a first time homeowner (must not have owned a home in the past 3 years, unless you are a single parent or displaced homemaker who owned a home with your spouse). An exemption may be granted for families which have a disabled family member.

+ Steps to Ownership

1. Join waiting list If you think you meet the program qualifications, but are not yet on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, you must first submit an application and be selected from the waiting list. When your name is selected from the waiting list, we will contact you for an eligibility interview. Once you are eligible for a Section 8 voucher, you may proceed.

2. Apply - Complete a Homeownership application with ICS. An ICS representative will contact you to schedule an appointment.

3. Homebuyer Counseling - Call a HUD certified Homeownership Counseling Program. Upon completion, provide ICS with a copy of your certificate.

4. Loan Pre-approval - Talk to a lender about pre-approval for a mortgage. The lender will determine how much you can afford and will provide you with a statement of pre-approval.

   **You will need to provide the pre-approval letter to ICS.

5. Find a home - Start looking for a home in your pre-approved price range. The home will need to be inspected and approved by ICS.

6. Make an Offer - After you have received approval from ICS, you will work with your realtor to complete an offer to purchase.

   **Provide a copy of the accepted offer to your homeownership coordinator once it has been signed by the seller.

7. Home Inspections - When you have an accepted offer to purchase, the home will need to pass ICS's Housing Quality Standards Inspection. You will also need to hire a private inspector to inspect the house.

   **You must provide a copy of the 3rd party inspection report to ICS. All required repairs would need to be completed and approved before you purchase the house.

8. Closing - If you meet all eligibility & financing requirements you can close on your home. **Contact ICS to schedule your final appointment prior to closing on your home.