Congressmen Cleaver and Duffy Introduce Bill Aimed At Helping Low-Income Families Become Self Sufficient

Press Release

This week, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI) introduced H.R. 4258, the Family Self Sufficiency Act, a bipartisan bill that would update and improve the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) 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," said Congressman Cleaver.

The FSS program provides individuals receiving federal housing assistance with the opportunity to achieve career and financial goals by providing a coordinator to help with job skills, employment opportunities, and financial planning. Additionally, the program allows participants to build assets by depositing additional earnings into an escrow account. Upon successful completion of the program, the participants receive the funds to use for various job and housing needs.

H.R. 4258 makes important changes to the program by combining the public housing and the housing voucher program into one -- removing unnecessary burdens and making the program more efficient. The bill would also expand the scope of services that are offered to include GED training, homeownership assistance, and post-secondary education. Lastly, the bill would expand the program to include families who live in privately owned properties that are subsidized through project based rental assistance.

Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tim Scott (R-S.C) and Bob Menendez (R-N.J.) recently introduced a similar version of the bill in the Senate.

"Contrary to false stereotypes, many of our constituents who depend on federal support are eager to work, go to school, and improve their ability to provide for themselves and their families. It is my hope that we can help families achieve those goals through an enhanced FSS program," said Congressman Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov.

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