U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Tim Scott (R-SC) teamed up on Tuesday to introduce legislation that would improve a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that helps low-income families receiving assistance work toward self-sufficiency.
“This bipartisan legislation will help more low-income Americans expand their education, save for the future and reach their goal of becoming financially independent,” Blunt said.
Under the Family Self-Sufficiency Act, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program would be extended to families that live in privately owned properties with project-based assistance, duplicative functions within the FSS program would be consolidated, and individual services would be broadened.
Through the FSS program, eligible families work with public housing agencies to formulate an FSS contract of participation that outlines the coordination of services like child care, job training, employment counseling, financial literacy and homeownership counseling with the long-term goal of self sufficiency.
“It is a common sense step we can take to improve the FSS program and enhance support for people in Missouri and across the country who are working hard to create a better future for themselves and their families,” Blunt said.
The Family Self-Sufficiency Act would consolidate FSS housing choice voucher and public housing programs to boost operational efficiencies. Services would also be broadened to help homeowners advance their educations and receive homeownership assistance and asset management training.
Blunt and Scott introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
“Every American wants the opportunity to succeed, and it is important for us to support families striving to achieve the American Dream,” Scott said. “The bipartisan Family Self-Sufficiency Act will help our country’s most vulnerable down the path towards financial independence, by providing them access to job-training or helping them attain a GED.”
“These families are looking for a hand-up, not a handout,” Scott said, “and I am proud to work alongside my colleagues Sens. Blunt, Reed, and Menendez on this critical issue to help low-income families seeking better opportunities prosper.”