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Resident says FSS program inaccessible to some voucher holders; staff explains eligibility and transfer rules
Summary
Resident Terry Tyree said she could not enroll in the Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) program after transferring a voucher; CRHA staff explained FSS enrollment depends on which agency administers the voucher and described transfer procedures. FAR organizer Sofia Marrero summarized resident events and trainings.
At the Oct. 27 meeting, community member Terry Tyree told the board she was unable to enroll in CRHA’s Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) program after transferring a Section 8 voucher and called that outcome unfair.
"I have section a voucher from Almore County, and I live over South First Street... And I cannot get into the FSS program," Tyree said, asking whether FSS availability had been restricted for certain participants.
CRHA staff responded that enrollment in FSS depends on which housing authority administers a household’s assistance. Staff said Charlottesville has the FSS grant for Charlottesville participants and that Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants administered locally can sign up for FSS, while some public‑housing specific programs are limited to public housing participants. Staff also noted that participants can transfer their assistance from one housing authority to another and that transfers can preserve FSS eligibility if the receiving authority administers the program.
"The FSS program is, ran by the housing authorities... so if you're in a voucher program, it's who's administering that voucher," staff said.
Later, Sofia Marrero, a community organizer with the Public Housing Association of Residents (FAR), updated the board on resident programming: an internship class, financial literacy events with the Piedmont Housing Alliance, bingo nights and Fall Fest at Sixth Street; 'know your rights' training sessions were planned on leasing, policing and immigrant rights. Marrero encouraged residents to attend the Nov. 3 City Council work session about student housing zoning changes.
