Should Families in Subsidized Housing Projects be Eligible for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program? (H.R. 4258)

What is H.R. 4258?

(Updated June 26, 2019)

This bill would make the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program administered by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) available to residents of project-based, subsidized housing (such as Section 8 or 9 housing). FSS combines affordable, stable housing for families in public with work-promoting service coordination and a rent incentive in the form of an escrow account that grows as families’ earnings increase and can be applied to work-related purchases or a down-payment on a home. The bill would consolidate HUD’s two FSS programs into one, allow tenants in privately-owned properties that receive project-based assistance to participate in FSS, and remove a limit on the amount that can be deposited into escrow accounts. Additionally, it would permanently reauthorize the FSS.

Argument in favor

This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will help low-income families in subsidized housing projects become self-sufficient.

Argument opposed

The Family Self-Sufficiency program wouldn’t be beneficial to low-income families who live in subsidized housing.

Impact

Families in subsidized project-based housing; and HUD.

Cost of H.R. 4258

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost $13 million over the 2018-2022 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Original cosponsor Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO) offered the following statement on his and Rep. Sean Duffy’s (R-WI) bill to improve HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency program:

“Growing up in public housing, I am well aware of how important it is that we provide residents with opportunities to become independent and self-sufficient. A program like FSS helps participants access essential supportive services -- putting them on a path towards success. The program has strong support nationally and has been successful in improving outcomes in my own Congressional district.”

This legislation passed the House Financial Services Committee on a 58-0 vote and has the support of seven bipartisan cosponsors in the House, including six Democrats and one Republican.

Media:

• House Financial Services Committee Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• NH&RA
  
• Women’s Policy Institute
  
• National Low Income Housing Coalition (In Favor)