Chapter 1 - San Diego Housing Commission

Chapter 14 – Self-Sufficiency Action Plan
other jurisdictions. In such cases, the FSS Contract will be terminated and any escrow balance will be
forfeited. If a FSS family with a Contract executed by a non-head of household decides to give that
individual the head of household status, port-out may be possible. However, there are stipulations
that impact this change; the participant needs to contact their Housing Assistant to understand the
process and implications. In addition, it is entirely the responsibility of the participant to make this
change in a timely fashion prior to the port-out.
Porting In
When an FSS family from another jurisdiction moves into the SDHC, and the SDHC absorbs the
incoming Section 8 voucher, the FSS head-of-household (participant) may elect to join SDHC’s FSS
program. However, if the voucher is not absorbed by SDHC, then the relocating FSS family may not
join SDHC FSS program. FSS participants must also have more than one-year remaining on their
original FSS Contracts to be able to participate in the SDHC FSS program.
The FSS participant must attend a SDHC FSS orientation prior to joining SDHC program. The SDHC
enters into a new contract with the FSS head-of-household participant for the term remaining on
the initial PHA’s FSS Contract. The effective and expiration dates of the contract between the SDHC
and the FSS participant MUST remain the same as the effective and expiration dates of the contract
between the initial PHA and the FSS participant. SDHC will use the same baseline amounts listed for
Annual Income, Earned Income and Family Rent or Total Tenant Payment as used by initial PHA on
the original Contract of Participation.
In accordance with HUD regulations, SDHC will request from the initial PHA to forward FSS
participant’s escrow account funds to the SDHC to be maintained for the duration of the Contract.
2. Grievance Procedure
Request for Administrative File Review
Participants are notified in writing via certified mail and regular mail of decisions affecting their
participation in FSS. The written notification includes the reasons for the decision and the policies
and regulations supporting it. If the participant disagrees with the decision, he or she has a right to
request an Administrative File Review. A written request for such a review must be submitted to the
Workforce and Economic Development unit within fifteen (15) business days from receipt of the
notice. Requests for Administrative File Review must be in writing and must state why the
participant disagrees with the decision.
The Director in the Workforce and Economic Development Unit will conduct a review of the
participant's FSS file to determine whether the contested decision is supported. The Program
Supervisor may request that the participant meet with the FSS Administrative Board to answer
questions and present any further needed information. The Administrative Board is made up of the
Director of Workforce and Economic Development and the FSS Program Analyst.
The SDHC is not required to provide an Administrative File Review or Informal Hearing for the
following reasons:
- The primary signatory to the Contract is not employed at time of exit from the program;
- Any member of the family will not be independent of welfare assistance for at least 12
consecutive months before Contract expiration.
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