Financial Tools to Modernize or Construct Elderly Public Housing - ROSS

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The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program

The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program links public housing residents with supportive services, resident empowerment activities, and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient. This program is consistent with the Department's goal to more effectively focus resources on welfare-to-work and independent living for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

ROSS Funding Categories

ROSS grants may be made to four types of applicants:

• Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) on behalf of public housing residents.
• Site-based resident associations (RAs)--resident management corporations, resident councils, or resident organizations (including nonprofit entities supported by residents).
• Intermediary Resident Organizations (IROs).
• Nonprofit entities operating as associations or networks that administer programs benefiting public and assisted housing resident organizations.

ROSS incorporates three basic funding categories: Technical Assistance/Training Support for Resident Organizations, Resident Service Delivery Models, and Service Coordinators.

ROSS Technical Assistance/Training Support for Resident Organizations

Resident Management and Business Development Grants are made directly to resident organizations to:

• Increase resident involvement and participation in their housing developments.
• Develop resident management opportunities.
• Provide development opportunities for resident-led businesses or cooperatives.
• Obtain necessary supportive services for residents to become self-sufficient.

ROSS Resident Capacity Building

Support the efforts of Intermediary Resident Organizations and certain types of nonprofits to assist site-based resident associations that do not yet have the capacity to administer a welfare-to-work program or conduct management activities. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Training board members in community organizing, board development, and leadership skills.
• Determining the feasibility of and training existing resident groups for resident management.
• Assisting in the creation of a resident management corporation or developing the management capabilities of an existing resident management corporation.
• Determining the feasibility of homeownership by residents.

ROSS Resident Service Delivery Models

Resident Service Delivery Models for Families Promote self-sufficiency among non-elderly families by funding services for residents that include, but are not limited to:

• Offering training on how residents can start their own businesses.
• Creating credit unions to support the normal financial management needs of residents that often go unmet in low-income areas, such as checking, savings, and loans.
• Providing job training to prepare residents for specific fields of employment.
• Developing job placement and linkages to specific employers.
• Providing supportive services--child care, transportation, and family counseling--to help families take advantage of training and employment opportunities.

ROSS Resident Service Delivery Models for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities

Provide supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities to help them maintain independent living. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing personal assistance with daily activities.
• Transporting residents to medical appointments, shopping, and other locations.
• Helping residents maintain their health through nutritional meals, wellness programs, health education, and referrals to community resources.
• Providing congregate services.

ROSS Homeownership Supportive Services (HSS)

This funding category makes grants to PHAs for homeownership counseling and other supportive services for public housing residents who have participated in self-sufficiency programs.

ROSS Neighborhood Networks (NN)

This funding category provides grants to PHAs to establish and/or operate Neighborhood Networks Centers that:

• Increase the use of computer technology
• Reduce welfare dependency
• Promote economic self sufficiency
• Improve human development
• Provide opportunities for job training and development
• Expand education opportunities for residents
• Develop access to health and nutrition information
• Empower residents

ROSS Service Coordinators

Eligible Activities for Service Coordinators