Fresh Start Enrichment (FSEP) Program
Overview
FWHA has a new goal-based incentive program for stepped-rent households. The Fresh Start Enrichment Program (FSEP) is available to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing (PH) program participants who are a part of the stepped-rent demonstration.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY REWARDS PROGRAM
Eligible households can earn cash for certain achievements, such as:
- $400 for obtaining your High School Equivalency
- $1,000 for obtaining a bachelor’s degree
- $100 for obtaining employment
- $500 for improving your credit score by 50 points
Goal-Based Incentive Payouts
Please review goal-based incentive payouts based on goals completed. You are required to complete at least 3 personal goals with the final goal of suitable employment.
| Category | Pay Point | Eligibility | Amount | Maximum Amount |
| Education & Training | Completion of training/Certification program (skilled trade, real estate license, cosmetology license, etc.) | One-time disbursement at time of completion | $500 | $500 |
| Completion of HSE | One-time disbursement at time of completion | $400 | $400 | |
| Completion of Associates Degree | One-time disbursement at time of completion | $500 | $500 | |
| Completion of Bachelor’s degree | One-time disbursement at time of completion | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Completion of Master’s degree or Doctorate Degree | One-time disbursement at time of completion | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| Employment | Obtain new employment | One-time disbursement after maintaining employment for 90 days | $100 | $100 |
| Employment retention for 12 consecutive months | Annually | $200 | $1,200 | |
| Removed from food stamps, or childcare assistance due to increased earnings from wages or started paying into healthcare benefits or Medicaid | One-time disbursement after six consecutive months | $300 | $300 | |
| Engagement | Completion of annual FSEP progress meeting | Annually after FSEP progress meeting is
complete |
$100 | $600 |
| Financial Stability | Attend 12 FWHA Financial Literacy Program Meetings | 12x; disbursed upon completion of all 12 meetings | $100 | $1,200 |
| Open and maintain a new checking or savings account (12 consecutive months: no negative ending balance more than twice per year) | One time | $500 | $500 |
| Improve credit score (by 50 points or more) | Annually | $500 | $3,000 | |
| Increase and maintain personal savings by either a) making a $25 per month deposit or; b) showing a $300 increase to savings over a 6 month period (verifiable over a 12 month period) | One-time disbursement in second year of FSEP program | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Increase earned income | Annually | $100 | $600 | |
| Housing & Homeownership | Engage in homeownership preparation activities, such as pre- homeownership counseling, homebuying education and finance classes. | 2x; disbursement in second year of FSEP program | $250 | $500 |
| Purchase a home | One time; upon purchase of home, but prior to FSEP graduation | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
| Personal | Completion of three (3) personal goals established at admission & progress meeting. | 3x; disbursed once at completion of all three goals | $100 | $300 |
| Graduation | Gained suitable employment or achieved a degree or certificate and free of TANF assistance; purchased a home; or received a minimum of five (5) bonus incentives listed above (may include up to 3 personal goal achievements) | One-time | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Maximum Earnings | $18,200 |
FSEP Application
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information please contact Larissa Williams, Programs Manager at [email protected] or call 260-267-9300 ext. 7230