Jan. 12--TAMPA -- It's a chance to gain independence from welfare, to find a job and possibly buy a home.

In order to realize such dreams, however, low-income residents must get involved in the process.

The Tampa Housing Authority is hoping a recent grant allocation from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow the agency to expand its Family Self-Sufficiency program.

"It's an excellent program," said Margaret Jones, the authority's director of assisted housing. "We want more families to come on."

The family self-sufficiency program targets participants in the Housing Choice Voucher who receive a federal subsidy to offset the cost of an apartment or house. It was formerly called Section 8.

In all, HUD allocated nearly $49 million to public housing agencies across the country to kick off 2009, including 26 agencies in Florida. Tampa's housing authority received the most in the state with $150,111.

The grant will be used to pay administrative and salary costs for three counselors who work with low-income families to provide services such as job training, career planning and budget counseling. There are 200 families in Tampa currently enrolled in the self-sufficiency program.

Participants sign a contract saying that they will get a job and no longer receive welfare assistance within five years. As their income increases, so do contributions to an escrow account. If the individual meets the program goals at the end of five years, the escrow funds are given to them to use as a down-payment on a house or car, to pay off debt or start a business.

Individuals in the program meet once a month, or as often as necessary, with a counselor to gauge their progress, Jones said.

"You would think every family in public housing would be signed up for a program like that," said Leroy Moore, housing vice president. "What they have to do is allow themselves to be assisted and helped and follow-through on it."

Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at (813) 259-7915.

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