Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin
Special Programs
FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS)
Public Housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher participants are eligible. FSS provides assistance in identifying and achieving educational and career assistance locating job training with the goal of becoming free of governmental assistance.
- Contact Kim Wagner at 939-0109
- Read more about Family Self-Sufficiency here
FAMILY SAVINGS ACCOUNT (FSA)
FSA encourages lower income families to save money and aim toward financial self-sufficiency. Participants save at least $10.00 per week, develop a savings goal and attend at least four financial workshops.
- Contact Cynthia Swanson at 939-7884
SECTION 8 HOMEOWNERSHIP
Eligible families participating in the Housing Voucher Program may purchase a house in Dauphin County (outside the City of Harrisburg ) and receive financial assistance to help make mortgage payments for up to fifteen years.
- Contact Mark Houser at 939-9301, Ext. 527
COZY CORNER STORE - HOY TOWERS
This small grocery convenience store located on the Second floor of Hoy Towers is open to residents of Hoy and Latsha Towers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM . The Cozy Corner Store carries a variety of items such as bread, milk, fresh produce, meat, beverages, snacks, cereal, canned soups, ice cream, canned food, soap, shampoo and pet food. Home deliveries are now available to residents of Hoy and Latsha Towers.
- To place an order call 939-0999
SEBOS VAN SERVICE
SEBOS provides van transportation services to residents 60 years of age or older of Steelton, Enhaut, Bressler, Oberlin, and Swatara Township . A donation of $1.00 per ride is requested of users to help for expenses. If you would like to use SEBOS, please call 939-9740.
- Contact Susan Kline of the Steelton Senior Center, call 939-0693 to volunteer
STEELTON FOOD COOPERATIVE
Free food is distributed weekly to 100 participants including home deliveries to some 40 homebound residents. Work is performed by volunteers. Partnership is between Housing Authority, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Hoy/Latsha Towers Tenant Association and the Steelton Senior Citizen Center
- Contact Gwen Copeland at 939-9301, Ext. 524
ELDERLY SERVICES COORDINATOR
The Elderly Services Coordinator provides a variety of services to the Authority's elderly residents including case management, information and referrals, Community Resources, assistance in preparation of the Rent Rebate Program applications, assistance to Tenant Organizations and new programs for the elderly residents.
- Contact Gwen Copeland at 939-9301, Ext. 524
WELLNESS PROGRAMS
HOY TOWERS - Run by the Messiah College Department of Nursing, the Wellness Center does health education; health and safety assessments; monitors persons with chronic health problems; conducts basic screenings; does medications assessment, education and management; and collaborates with the Elderly Services Coordinator and many community agencies and health care providers. Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM . Open year round.
- Contact Kay Huber, CRNP 986-0667
BISTLINE HOUSE - Run by Penn State Undergraduate School of Nursing, supports health promotion and prevention, does health assessments and routine screenings. Only open 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Fridays.
- Contact Gwen Copeland 939-9301, Ext. 524
Family Self-Sufficiency
WHAT IS THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM?
FSS is a program offered by the Dauphin County Housing Authority to assist participants to become financially independent and self-sufficient. FSS focuses on such areas as education, job training, job placement and addressing other family needs.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FSS PROGRAM?
All participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Public Housing residents are eligible to participate, and encouraged to participate, in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
If you decide to join the FSS Program, the FSS staff will:
- Provide you with a Contract of Participation
- Help you develop your own personal service plan based on the goals you set
- Refer you to services and other agencies that will assist you
- Open and maintain an Escrow Account when appropriate
- Provide other Supportive Services
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?
- Have no lease violations
- Pay rent on time
- Sign the Contract of Participation which is in effect for five years
- Establish goals, including the ultimate goal of freedom from the need for government assistance
- Further education or job training or seek employment
WHAT IS THE ESCROW ACCOUNT?
The Escrow Account is a type of savings account for the participant which is opened when the participant has employment income. Once the participant's portion of the rent increases because of higher income, the Authority places, generally an amount equivalent to the rental increase in the Escrow Account every month on behalf of the participant. The monthly amount deposited increases as income and rent increase, but can also decrease with a decrease in income. Some participants have accumulated nearly $10,000 in their escrow accounts.
WHOM DO I CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION?
If you are interested in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, please call either Kim Wagner at (717) 939-0109 or Cynthia Swanson at (717) 939-7884
Family Savings Account
Family Savings Account Program
- Aim Toward Financial Self-Sufficiency by Saving Money and Building Assets
- You can receive up to $2,000 in matching funds
PURPOSE OF FSA
To encourage individuals and families to save money, to acquire assets or increase the value of assets they already have (Asset Building), to take control of their financial situation, to save for future goes and to aim toward FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
CASH INCENTIVE
As an incentive to save for a goal and develop a savings plan, grant funds will be used to match a participant's savings up to a maximum of $2,000 for a two year period -- A 100% RETURN ON YOUR SAVINGS!
Each saver must set a SPECIFIC GOAL for the use of his/her savings and match. Goals may be the following:
- Purchase or Repair of a House
- Post-Secondary Education
- Starting or Expanding a Business
- Purchase of a Vehicle for Work, Educations or Job Training.
- Savings and match funds MUST be used for the goal.
ELIGIBILITY
Family income cannot exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as follows:
| Persons in Family | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $21,660 |
| 2 | $29,140 |
| 3 | $36,620 |
| 4 | $44,100 |
| 5 | $51,580 |
| 6 | $59,060 |
| 7 | $66,540 |
| 8 | $74,020 |
Program Is Open To Everyone!
MINIMUM DEPOSIT
A participant must promise to deposit at least $10.00 per week in a separate savings account for at least 12 months and up to 24 months at an approved financial institution. Current participating banks are: Commerce Bank, Community Banks, Mid Penn Bank, PNC Bank and Sovereign Bank.
WORKSHOPS
Each saver MUST PARTICIPATE in at least FOUR FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS during a two year period on topics such as budgeting, savings and investing, credit and credit repair, loans, insurance, wills and tax planning. These valuable workshops are provided at no cost to the participants.
WHOM TO CONTACT?
Persons who are interested in finding out more about the FSA Program should call: Ms. Cynthia Swanson, FSA Coordinator, at 717-939-7884