1. A HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Find your NICHE
Networking to Independence through
Career, Housing and Education
A HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program

2. What NICHE is about Opportunity for further education
Support of the program coach
Connections to resources such as:
Employment
Education
Financial
Career
Childcare
Transportation
Credit repair
Escrow savings

3. Who is Eligible? Renters using a Housing Choice Voucher
Agreeable to a 5 year contract commitment
Ability and desire to work full-time (32+ hours per week) Reasonable accommodation to 32 hour work week is possible for people who are disabled.
Desire to ACTIVELY participate and work a plan to independence which includes:
Goal attainment
Comprehensive financial education participation
A minimum of quarterly check in’s

4. How does it work?
A Program Coordinator will serve as a Coach to help families by working with them to find the resources they need to meet their goals. The Coordinator is a Coach NOT a case manager. Assisting the family to accomplish their goals by connecting them with the resources necessary to do so.

5. Progress
Involvement in program results in employment (income increase). As a result:
Tenant rental portion increases
Escrow begins to accumulate (with employment income only)
Upon successful graduation escrow released to family.
May use for any purpose

6. How does the escrow work?
Household TANF income: $500 per month Tenant rental portion: $150 Monthly Escrow: $ 0 Employment income: $1386 per month (32 hrs. x $10.00 p/hr.) Tenant rental portion: $416 Monthly Escrow: $416 (amount of rental portion increase due to employment income) $416 x 12 months = $4,992

7. How do you fit in? Inform your HCV holders of the program.
Direct them to NICHE Coach for application and screening.
Work with NICHE Coach once family is enrolled with the goal of transition to NICHE Coach only.
Warm hand off

8. Who fits? Families who are:
Motivated to move forward with a goal of independence
Willing to sign and commit to a 5 year contract
Ability and desire to work full-time (32+ hours per week) Reasonable accommodation to 32 hour work week is possible for people who are disabled.
Desire to ACTIVELY participate and work a plan to independence which includes:
Goal attainment
Comprehensive financial education participation
A minimum of quarterly check in’s

9. Process Inform HCV families of NICHE Family contacts NICHE Coach
NICHE Coach completes the screening process
Enrolls family with as much Navigator participation as possible
After some goal plan progress Navigator does a warm hand off to NICHE Coach (case by case basis)

10. Other FSS Programs Augusta Housing Authority 207-626-2357
Bangor Housing Authority
Brewer Housing Authority
Caribou Housing Authority
Lewiston Housing Authority
Old Town Housing Authority
Portland Housing Authority
Westbrook Housing Authority

11. Additional questions? Laurie Glidden FSS NICHE Coach MaineHousing 353 Water St. Augusta, ME