Community Service & Self-Sufficiency Requirements
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has established and implemented community service and self-sufficiency requirements. This act requires that every adult resident (eighteen years of age or older) who resides in Public Housing and HOPE VI participants, contribute eight (8) hours of community service each month, or participate in an economic self-sufficiency program unless exempted.
This requirement provides Public Housing residents opportunities to improve their own economic and social well being while providing service to their community.
Residents Exempt From The Community Service And Self-Sufficiency Requirements Are Those:
- Age 62 years or older
- Blind or disabled
- Engaged in work activities, specified below:
- Unsubsidized employment
- Subsidized private sector employment
- Subsidized public section employment
- Work experience (including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing)
- On the job training
- Job search and job readiness assistance
- Community Service Program
- Vocational educational training
- Job skills training directly related to employment
- Educational activities directly related to employment in the case of a participant who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate on high school equivalency
- Full time student
Communicty Service Activities
The term community service is defined in 24 CFR Part 906.601 as the performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit, and that serve to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase resident self-responsibility in the community.
The Following Examples Are Considered Community Service Activities:
- Actively participating in a Community Voluntary Tenant Patrol
- Participating in an anti-graffiti program by monitoring and eliminating graffiti in the housing community
- Assisting in grounds maintenance and community beautification projects
- Assisting with a literacy and self-esteem program in an after-school youth program
- Assisting in a senior center providing elderly families with information on various services such as transportation, meals, etc.
- Assisting in a homeless shelter kitchen
- Volunteering at the food bank
- Assisting with a youth program
- Participating in a tutoring program
- And others
Self-Sufficiency Activities
Any program designed to encourage, assist, train, or facilitate the economic independence of public housing residents or families.
The Following Are Examples Of Activities That Meet The Definition of Self-Sufficiency Programs:
- Job training (such as basic office skills, resume writing, interview skills, dressing for success and office equipment usage)
- Employment counseling
- Work placement
- Basic skills training
- Education (such as secondary education)
- English proficiency
- Financial management or budgeting classes
- Household management
- Life style (such as health and wellness classes)
- Apprenticeship or vocational training
- Substance abuse treatment
- Mental health treatment program