Event Title
An Evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program at the Grand Rapids Housing Commission
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Homelessness is an unexpected characteristic of the modern urban landscape. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 800 people are homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) attempts to lower those numbers by providing affordable housing and programing like the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) and working with families living in low income housing to achieve self-sufficiency. This study aims to provide insight on how the GRHC can better assist the participants to successfully complete the program and become self-sufficient. SUBJECTS: The population of this study consists of 229 families currently enrolled and 26 families who have graduated from the FSS Program. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective evaluation was conducted to assess the factors that contribute to FSS Program participants effectively completing the program moving out of low income housing. Data was collected from a paper mailed survey sent to all 255 participants and returned in a self-addressed envelope. 67 participants responded to the survey, in which 9 were former participants. ANALYSES: Coding was conducted to determine which factors contribute to successful completion of the FSS program. RESULTS: The study showed that additional consideration should be placed on participant’s gender, marital status, number of children, employment, education, income and barriers when assisting participants in the FSS program. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding these contributing factors will allow more participants to move into their own homes and grant low income housing to those living in shelters or on the streets, thus reducing the number of homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
An Evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program at the Grand Rapids Housing Commission
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Homelessness is an unexpected characteristic of the modern urban landscape. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 800 people are homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) attempts to lower those numbers by providing affordable housing and programing like the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) and working with families living in low income housing to achieve self-sufficiency. This study aims to provide insight on how the GRHC can better assist the participants to successfully complete the program and become self-sufficient. SUBJECTS: The population of this study consists of 229 families currently enrolled and 26 families who have graduated from the FSS Program. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective evaluation was conducted to assess the factors that contribute to FSS Program participants effectively completing the program moving out of low income housing. Data was collected from a paper mailed survey sent to all 255 participants and returned in a self-addressed envelope. 67 participants responded to the survey, in which 9 were former participants. ANALYSES: Coding was conducted to determine which factors contribute to successful completion of the FSS program. RESULTS: The study showed that additional consideration should be placed on participant’s gender, marital status, number of children, employment, education, income and barriers when assisting participants in the FSS program. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding these contributing factors will allow more participants to move into their own homes and grant low income housing to those living in shelters or on the streets, thus reducing the number of homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan.