A HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program Find your NICHE Networking to Independence through Career, Housing and Education A HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program

What NICHE is about Opportunity for further education Support of the program coach Connections to resources such as: Employment Education Financial Career Childcare Transportation Credit repair Escrow savings

Who is Eligible? Renters using a Housing Choice Voucher Agreeable to a 5 year contract commitment Ability and desire to work full-time (32+ hours per week) Reasonable accommodation to 32 hour work week is possible for people who are disabled. Desire to ACTIVELY participate and work a plan to independence which includes: Goal attainment Comprehensive financial education participation A minimum of quarterly check in’s

How does it work? A Program Coordinator will serve as a Coach to help families by working with them to find the resources they need to meet their goals. The Coordinator is a Coach NOT a case manager. Assisting the family to accomplish their goals by connecting them with the resources necessary to do so.

Progress Involvement in program results in employment (income increase). As a result: Tenant rental portion increases Escrow begins to accumulate (with employment income only) Upon successful graduation escrow released to family. May use for any purpose

How does the escrow work? Household TANF income: $500 per month Tenant rental portion: $150 Monthly Escrow: $ 0 Employment income: $1386 per month (32 hrs. x $10.00 p/hr.) Tenant rental portion: $416 Monthly Escrow: $416 (amount of rental portion increase due to employment income) $416 x 12 months = $4,992

How do you fit in? Inform your HCV holders of the program. Direct them to NICHE Coach for application and screening. Work with NICHE Coach once family is enrolled with the goal of transition to NICHE Coach only. Warm hand off

Who fits? Families who are: Motivated to move forward with a goal of independence Willing to sign and commit to a 5 year contract Ability and desire to work full-time (32+ hours per week) Reasonable accommodation to 32 hour work week is possible for people who are disabled. Desire to ACTIVELY participate and work a plan to independence which includes: Goal attainment Comprehensive financial education participation A minimum of quarterly check in’s

Process Inform HCV families of NICHE Family contacts NICHE Coach NICHE Coach completes the screening process Enrolls family with as much Navigator participation as possible After some goal plan progress Navigator does a warm hand off to NICHE Coach (case by case basis)

Other FSS Programs Augusta Housing Authority 207-626-2357 Bangor Housing Authority 207-942-6365 Brewer Housing Authority 207-922-2737 Caribou Housing Authority 207-493-4234 Lewiston Housing Authority 207-783-8539 Old Town Housing Authority 207-827-6151 Portland Housing Authority 207-773-4753 Westbrook Housing Authority 207-854-6822

Additional questions? Laurie Glidden FSS NICHE Coach MaineHousing 353 Water St. Augusta, ME 04330 lglidden@mainehousing.org