Family Self Sufficiency Program Overview
Would you like to increase your job skills or
earning potential, and become more
financially independent? Are you concerned
about meeting your rental payments after five
years of housing assistance? Family SelfSufficiency (FSS) program staff can help you
develop a plan to achieve self-sufficiency.
 We work with you to help you create
goals and accomplish them (Individual
Training and Service Plan-ITSP).
 We provide support by identifying
resources that allow you to overcome
challenges and invest in yourself.
 We provide short- and long-term
financial incentives to eligible families.
Please contact FSS staff to learn how we can
help you.
 Families living in Anchorage, Bethel,
Fairbanks, Homer, Kodiak, Mat-Su,
Nome, Soldotna, Valdez: 907-3306180, 1-877-AKGOALS (1-877-2546257)
 Families living in Southeast Alaska
(Cordova, Juneau, Ketchikan,
Petersburg, Sitka, Wrangell): 907-5862937 or toll free 1-855-586-2937
The FSS Program offers the following incentives to enrolled families. Contact your housing office
or one of the numbers above for information on how to enroll in the FSS Program.
Work Rewards
 Initial Employment: To receive this onetime $250 reward, the family must obtain
and maintain employment averaging at
least 30 hours a week for three (3)
consecutive months.
 Sustained Employment: To receive this
one-time $250 reward, the family must
maintain employment averaging a
minimum of 30 hours a week for nine
months in a one year period.
Education Incentives and Rewards
 Tuition Assistance: AHFC will provide
tuition assistance of up to $1,000 for
each family. Tuition assistance must be
utilized for a course/training program that
will support employment opportunities or
career advancement of the family.
Courses needed to obtain your GED are
eligible for tuition assistance. Courses
must help the family work toward an
identified goal in their ITSP.
 Education Reward: Families providing
verification of the completion of courses or
training programs that support
employment opportunities or career
advancement as identified in their ITSP
may earn up to $500.
Long-Term Financial Incentives
Once families complete AHFC’s required
financial literacy course (explained in a
separate brochure), they are eligible to enroll
in the Savings Match Program.
AHFC will match a family’s savings up to $300
each year for a maximum savings of $1,500.
Families will receive the savings match at the
end of their AHFC housing assistance and
successful completion of the FSS program.
Limitation on Incentives and Rewards: Each
family may receive a maximum of $3,000 in
incentives, rewards, and savings match during
the course of their housing assistance.
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AHFC Resident Scholarship Program: In addition to the incentives provided through the FSS
program, AHFC offers scholarships to any adult participant in its rental assistance programs.
Scholarships are awarded each fall, as funds are available, through an application and review
process. Watch the Resident Newsletter for more information or inquire at your housing office.
In addition to the community resources your local office will provide, this list includes statewide
resources that may be available to help you meet financial and other challenges.
Adequate and affordable childcare:
 Childcare Referral Service: http://www.threadalaska.org; 800.278.3723
 Financial Assistance: Childcare Assistance Program: 888-268-4632
 Early Childhood Education: Head Start http://www.akheadstart.org
Assistance for a family member with special needs:
 Assistive Technology of Alaska: http://www.atlaak.org, (800) 723-2852
 Aging or Disability Resource Center: 1-877-6AK-ADRC (1-877-625-2372) toll-free.
Assistance for families with a special needs child:
Best Beginnings: http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org, (907) 297-3300
Education or training:
 Vocational Rehabilitation: http://labor.alaska.gov/dvr, (800) 478-2815
 ESL, LEP learners - links to 50 websites to assist you:
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/50_essential_resources_for_esl_students/
 Study for your GED: http://www.gedforfree.com/references/ged-courses
 Improve Typing Skills: http://www.typingweb.com
 Improve Computer Skills: www.gcflearnfree.org
Job search:
 Resumes, cover letters, job openings, interview practice: ALEXsys:
https://alexsys.labor.state.ak.us, (877)724-2539
 Income/Asset Building and Financial Literacy: http://moneysmart.drc.com/login/login.php
or see other resources that are available on http://rentreform.ahfc.us
Other supportive services:
 Mental health resources in Alaska: http://lam.alaska.gov/mental_health_resources
 Substance abuse intervention and treatment: http://www.samhsa.gov/, suicide prevention
(800) 273-TALK (8255); Treatment Locator (800) 662-HELP(4357)
 Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/, (907)272-2312
 Domestic Violence: http://www.alaskawomensnetwork.org/domestic_violence.html, (800)
656-HOPE (4673)
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