• FSS's successful participants are all now employed at a livable wage and free from welfare cash assistance;
• A total of 731 FSS families have successfully graduated and completed their career goals, 131 of whom (18%) have purchased homes;
• 1/4 of the FSS families who have purchased homes advanced from welfare assistance to home ownership within 5 years;
• 1/3 of all FSS graduates advanced from unemployment/welfare assistance to self-sufficiency;
• Average earned income of FSS graduates increased from $12,067 to $29,788 annually- the average increase in earnings nearly tripled (now earning an average of $14.32 per hour); 80% took college, job skills or technical training while enrolled in FSS; 30% completed college, technical training, or GED (high school equivalency) while in FSS;
• Of the currently enrolled FSS families, 60% are employed, 40% of whom were welfare or unemployed families.

• The link between housing and social services is inextricable. Housing provides the stability which allows families to focus on career development and self-sufficiency;
• Intensive case management is critical to success;
• Low income families, often unskilled and without significant job histories, need a minimum of five years to become self- sufficient;
• Funds to assist participants with transportation, child care, books and tuition are essential in helping eliminate obstacles which often stand in the way of success.

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COUNTY SERVICE LOCATIONS

The main office of HOC (Housing Opportunities Commission) including the administrative office of FSS is at 10400 Detrick Avenue, Kensington, MD. Along Connecticut Avenue, Ride-On buses are the 5 & 6; Metrobuses are the L7 & L8.