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'FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY' GRADS CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESSES
DURING CEREMONY

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Family Self-Sufficiency program combines
hard work with education, work skills and independence from government assistance -
11 community organizations involved

Largest number of first-time homeowners yet, as a result of the program

Santa Barbara, CA – The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program will be honoring nine graduates on Friday, May 11, during a ceremony and dinner at the Chase Palm Park Center.

The Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is an initiative designed to help move families receiving housing assistance and related government subsidies to a more independent lifestyle, free of governmental assistance. Ultimately, FSS aims to help participants achieve their own personal goals and greater socio-economic advancement, including college degrees, professional careers and first time home ownership.

This year, the Housing Authority is proud to announce that an amazing four of the program’s nine graduates are now first time homeowners, thanks to their own hard work and the generous assistance of some of the community organizations involved. In addition, this group received over $60,000 through the FSS savings and escrow program. The total number of graduates from the program to date is 162.

To enable FSS participants to achieve self-sufficiency, the Housing Authority partners with a large group of community agencies. These include Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Mid-State Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara City College, Continuing Education Division, Catholic Charities, Department of Rehabilitation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Internal Revenue Service, AIG Financial Advisors, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Family Service Agency, Santa Barbara Staffing, and Unity Shoppe. This vast network of service providers provides Financial Literacy workshops, academic counseling, vocational rehabilitation, free-income tax preparation services, family counseling, job placement and assistance with food, clothing and emergency funds.

“We are so proud of our Family Self-Sufficiency program participants and all that they have accomplished,” said Robert Pearson, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “Thanks to their hard work and the community organizations that have assisted them, these graduates will now be able to better not only their own lives, but the lives of their families and in turn, the life of our community as well.”

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Awards ceremony and dinner to honor the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara’s Family Self-Sufficiency program graduates

WHERE: Chase Palm Park Center, 236 E. Cabrillo Blvd.

WHEN: Friday, May 11, 6:00 pm, Awards Ceremony and Dinner

WHO: Assemblyman Pedro Nava (Keynote speaker), Santa Barbara City Council Members, Christine Elliott, District Representative for Congresswoman Lois Capps, new and past Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Executive Director/C.E.O. Rob Pearson, Board of Commissioners and staff, Community and Corporate Partners, and invited guests

CONTACT: Media contact: Juliana Minsky/Marjorie Wass 687-3322; on-site contact at event: Marjorie Wass, 252-3124

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is a local public agency created for the purpose of providing safe, decent, and quality affordable housing and supportive services to eligible persons with limited incomes, through a variety of federal, state, local and private resources. Please visit the website at www.hacsb.org.

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