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The Austin Times The Housing Authority of the City of Austin Family Self-Sufficiency Banquet honored achievements of the 2004 graduates. Nothing could keep these women down. Between attending school, working part-time or full-time jobs, taking care of a family and struggling to make ends meet while living in public housing, Yola Barriere, Chileshe Chipamata, Cecilia Ledesma, Barbara Martinez and Patricia Martinez decided to take control of their lives. These five women, who have moved out of public housing, are the 2004 graduates of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin's Family Self-Sufficiency Program. Their achievements were honored at the annual FSS Banquet Wednesday, Oct. 6. Established in 1993, the program has 213 current members, helping both Housing Choice Voucher and public housing tenants identify a five-year plan documenting their personal and professional goals. Staff works with program participants, linking them to education, job training programs and supportive services to better prepare the members for today's competitive job market. "The housing authority provides housing to low income people. We then encourage these same residents to go to work and set goals for themselves. We help them be successful and get out of public housing," Executive Director Jim Hargrove of HACA said. The long-terms golas of residents have included going to school and becoming a nurse, culinary school, getting a job with the state and having a new car or home. One of the most unique aspects of the program is the escrow (a holding) savings account. As FSS members' rent increases due to earning higher wages, a portion of the rent is matched by the FSS Program and credited motnly to an escrow account. After achieving their goals and being welfare-free for 12 consecutive months, members are eligible to reeive the escrow money. One resident had up to $26,000 in the account. Current FSS participants have a combined escrow balance of over $233,000. |
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