Federal Grant Award Summary

The City of Cedar Rapids received a $231,350 Project Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Public and Indian Housing Office under the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program (CFDA 14.896) effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. These funds support the salary and fringe benefits for FSS coordinators who implement economic mobility services for low-income families receiving housing assistance through public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), and project-based rental assistance (PBRA) programs. The FSS coordinators are responsible for enrolling and maintaining participating families in the program, developing individualized training and service plans, and establishing partnerships with community employers and service providers to advance family economic self-sufficiency.

Under this award, the City of Cedar Rapids is required to hire or retain a minimum number of full-time equivalent (FTE) FSS coordinator positions and maintain a corresponding minimum number of participating families throughout the performance period. FSS coordinators work directly with enrolled families over a 5-7 year period to support employment outcomes, wage improvement, and progress toward individual self-sufficiency goals. The program funds approximately 900 FSS initiatives nationwide administered by public housing authorities and project-based rental assistance property owners, with renewal applicants prioritized by statute for continued support.