Resident Services

FSS Program

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary program for tenants living in Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing through the Pawtucket Housing Authority. FSS is a supportive, goal-planning program to assist residents in achieving educational and employment goals. By participating in the FSS Program, tenants become eligible for an escrow account. This is a savings account set up in their name by the PHA. Monthly deposits are made when there is an increase in earned income. When residents complete the program they become eligible for the funds in the account.

FSS Success Stories

Claudia Moreira

Claudia is a current HCV FSS Program Participant who just received her Nursing Degree from CCRI and has accepted a position as an RN at a hospital in RI. When asked how she was able to accomplish this goal while working and being a mother she stated:

“As great as it sounds to be recognized for my accomplishment which sometimes feels like it's not me...I'm watching this person moving through these waves! I have to tell you that this was NOT done alone! I literally had a village (or maybe a city) behind me throughout this journey: Friends that picked up my tuition and expenses tab when needed; family that cooked for me when time didn't allow me to; coworkers working my shifts so I could study or attend Clinicals; supportive classmates and professors; my landlord that had frozen my rent for all these years; PHA and most importantly my son (my so impatient tutor) the one and only person I hope this accomplishment will inspire to further pursuit his education. There were definitely many more people involved, and all I can say is that I'm beyond grateful for and to everyone that has been part of my village.”

Elsa Cabral

Elsa joined FSS in 2017. She is a mother of 2 children. Elsa’s main reasons for joining the FSS program was to learn English as a Second Language, obtain her Citizenship, and save enough money to buy a home.

Elsa moved to the United States from Cape Verde and has worked diligently throughout her participation as an FSS member to reach her goals.

This October, Elsa received her final escrow payout of over $10,000 plus and is excited to finish this journey and will continue moving forward to a healthier and self-sufficient life.

Resident Opportunity & Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC)

The Resident Opportunity & Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC) grant program is designed to assist residents of Public and Indian Housing make progress towards economic and housing self-sufficiency by removing the educational, professional and health barriers they face.

Self-sufficiency is defined as a household’s ability to maintain financial, housing, and personal/family stability. To achieve self-sufficiency, individuals in a household move along a continuum towards economic independence and stability; such movement is facilitated by the achievement of educational, professional, and health/mental health and financial empowerment-related goals. For the ROSS program, self-sufficiency is further defined as a resident’s ability to progress along the self-sufficiency continuum through training and the utilization of supportive services. In the case of elderly/disabled residents, self-sufficiency is defined as the utilization of supportive services which enable them to better age in place or remain living independently for as long as possible.

To help residents make progress towards self-sufficiency and in the case of elderly/disabled residents, the Service Coordinator links them to supportive services which enable them to age/remain in place.

This place-based program targets the entire resident community within the project(s) to be served and aims to address the areas of need at both the community and individual level. The ROSS-SC must work with residents, PHA staff, local partners, and other stakeholders to develop local strategies to address the needs of residents and remove barriers so that residents make progress towards achieving economic and housing self-sufficiency.

Housing Navigator Services

The Pawtucket Housing Authority offers the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, as well as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program for individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness. Through the CoC Program, families and individuals reside throughout RI while having a portion of their rent subsidized. Through the ESG Program, families and individuals must live in Pawtucket and their entire rent is subsidized. Both programs are currently full.

Frequently Asked Questions