Q. What is the Family Investment Center?
The Family Investment Center is a resident service designed to provide supportive services for Public Housing and Section 8 Tenants. In 1994 the Rochester Housing Authority received a HUD grant from the Office of Resident Initiatives to provide financial assistance and greater access to employment, training, education and business start-up opportunities to residents living in Public Housing.
The Center has developed partnerships with community organizations and agencies, public and private institutions and employers to broker services for residents. As the Center's capacity grew service was extended to Section 8 tenants and the community at large. The Center opened in 1995 and has continued to receive funding through HUD's Resident Services Delivery Model ROSS grants. The Rochester Housing Authority Family Investment Center is committed to creating and implementing programs that strengthen family capacity to reach self-sufficiency and financial independence
Q. Who is eligible?
A. Supportive service is available to RHA residents and Section 8 Family Self-Sufficiency participants. Non-residents may enroll in the GED program and/or receive job placement services.
Q. How is service provided?
A. Residents obtain service by attending program orientation and recruitment sessions. Referrals to the Center occurs through telephone inquiries and Housing Authority staff referrals.
The Center provides a holistic case management approach that involves an assessment of resident education, work experience and training needs necessary to succeed in today's job market. Supportive service is provided to sustain resident enrollment in programs.
Q. What are the program benefits for public housing residents?
- Child care subsidies
- Free training
- Family Self-Sufficiency escrow accounts (Available to both public housing & Section 8)
- On-going vocational counseling services
- Transportation assistance (tokens, bus passes)
- College tuition assistance, books
- Uniforms, tools, etc.
Program Services
Education
RHA partners with the City School District to provide GED instruction using computer based PLATO applications for residents and Section 8 participants seeking their GED. The Family Investment Center offers an on site ten station computer lab with a capacity to conduct morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Access to this educational opportunity begins with an assessment of need in order to determine math and reading levels followed by direct enrollment. Residents interested in higher educational opportunities are also required to undergo a needs assessment to determine the most suitable experience. Funding may be available to meet education financial needs if there is no other resources. Residents must meet eligibility criteria.
Training
Referrals to training programs is based upon Case Manager assessment of participant's skills and abilities, program eligibility requirements self-determination, commitment and funding resources. The Family Investment Center brokers training services to eligible participants in house and within the Rochester Community of training service providers.
Business Start-up
Financial assistance is available to public housing residents seeking to start micro businesses. Child Care Providers trained with New York State Certification receive financial assistance to support one year allocation for insurance cost and soft supplies to operate the Family Day Care Business.
The Micro Loan program is available to public housing residents interested in other micro business entrepreneur opportunities. Participants are required to complete a business start-up training program to include a business plan with recommendation from the training program. Participants can obtain micro business loans up to $5000.
Q. What Training and Educational Programs are available?
- Family Self-Sufficiency
- Section 8 Homeownership
- GED
- Computer Skills (Off Site)
- Employment Preparation (Off Site)
- Parenting
- Mental Wellness
- Nutrition
- Credit Restoration
- Section 3
- Money Management
- Construction Trades Apprenticeship (Public Housing Residents)
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