Santa Barbara Housing Authority Celebrates 23 Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently celebrated the graduation of 23 participants from its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. The FSS program helps low-income families develop a plan to achieve living wage employment and economic self-sufficiency, providing an interest-bearing escrow account that grows as their earned income increases.

Why it matters

The FSS program is an important tool for helping low-income families in Santa Barbara break the cycle of poverty and achieve greater financial stability and independence. By providing job training, financial education, and other support services, the program empowers participants to improve their economic circumstances and work towards goals like college degrees, professional careers, and homeownership.

The details

The 23 graduates have a combined escrow of $578,608.93 and an average income increase of $43,007. Of this group, seven are no longer receiving housing assistance. The FSS program is a voluntary five-year program in which participants develop a plan with specific goals and objectives to achieve living wage employment and self-sufficiency. Participants are provided an interest-bearing escrow account that grows as their earned income increases. Upon completion of the program, participants can claim their escrow if they are employed, no longer receiving welfare, and have met their individual goals.

• The HACSB recently celebrated the graduation of 23 FSS program participants.

What’s next

The HACSB will continue to support the 23 graduates as they work towards achieving their long-term goals of financial independence and homeownership.