Strengthening FSS Program Outcomes: Lessons from Research on Compass FSS Programs

Naganika Sanga
Lesley Freiman
Judy Geyer
Hannah Thomas
Abt Global

Jeffrey Lubell
Housing Innovations Group

The nonprofit Compass Working Capital is one of the largest administrators of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program designed to help households in HUD-assisted rental housing make progress toward economic security. A series of program evaluations by Abt Global of FSS programs coadministered by Compass have found positive impacts on participants’ earned income and credit outcomes, with the benefits outweighing program costs.

This article summarizes and explores the implications of the evaluations and reflects on distinctive features of the Compass FSS model that other FSS programs may benefit from employing. The article also discusses policy implications and areas for future research.

Distinctive features of the Compass FSS model that we believe may contribute to its success include a marketing approach that speaks to program participants’ aspirations; a client-centered approach to coaching program participants; a focus on early wins, such as improving participants’ credit and debt profiles for continued engagement; the adoption of an asset-building lens, using FSS escrow balances to motivate participants to build wealth and achieve their financial goals; a goal of graduating as many households as possible; an ongoing focus on training and supervision for program staff; and ongoing use of data to improve program performance.