What is the Self-Sufficiency Program?

HIP Housing’s Self-Sufficiency Program is a scholarship that provides housing assistance and support services to motivated, low-income parents and/or transitional age foster youth with clearly defined education and career goals. With housing and support services, program participants are expected to achieve financial self-sufficiency within 1-5 years. It is not an emergency housing program and the application and selection process can be a few weeks to several months dependent upon funding. There can be 2 pathways within the Self-Sufficiency Program:

Housing Scholarship for SHARED Housing in one of four family homes owned by HIP Housing-

  • 1-2 years
  • Single/two parent families
  • Client shares either a 4 bedroom or 6 bedroom home with 1 or 2 other families
  • Located in Redwood City, San Carlos & Menlo Park
  • Client pays $100 per room in monthly rent
  • Monthly case management meetings, life skills workshops, and fatherhood specific monthly services

**Upon successful completion of your SHARED Housing program, families may transition to a housing scholarship opportunity to complete years 3-5.

Housing Scholarship for an individual apartment-

  • 1-5 years
  • Single/two-parent families OR transitional age foster youth, ages 18-24
  • Client rents their own home in a partner affordable housing unit OR a below market rate HIP Housing unit OR (on limited basis) the open market
  • HIP pays:
    • 50% of rent up to $950 on a 1BDRM unit and 50% of rent up to $1,100 on a 2BDRM unit. Client pays remainder of rent for 1-5 years based on approved educational plan.
  • Monthly case management, life skills workshops, and fatherhood specific monthly services

**Scholarships may be extended up to 5 years with the subsidy decreasing after the 2nd year (ask Program Specialist for more details)

Who qualifies?

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be a parent over 18 with minor children (under the age of 18) living with them OR transitional age foster (TAY) youth ages 18-24 (as funding allows).
  • Live, work or go to school in San Mateo County (some neighboring counties are considered).
  • Have the legal right to work in the United States. (must have valid work permit, Legal Permanent Residency or a US Citizen)
  • Have a low income – (80% of annual median income) (family of 2= $119,300; family of 3 = $134,200; family of 4 = $149,100) for HIP scholarship only ; (50% of annual median income) (Family of 2=$74,600; Family of 3=$83,900; Family of 4=$93,200;) for SHARE scholarship only
  • Be clean & sober for at least 3 months (if in recovery).
  • Be registered for or enrolled in vocational training and/or an education program
  • Applicant’s education or training program will be completed within 6 months to 5 years

What does a family need to bring when they have an appointment to apply to the Self-Sufficiency Program?

For all Adults over age 18 in the household:

  • Driver’s license or State ID
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • U.S. Passport
  • Legal Permanent Resident or Work Permit Card (if not a US citizen)
  • Last two Bank Statements (Savings & Checking)
  • Last four Paycheck Stubs (if employed)
  • Verification of Cash Aid, Food Stamps, Child Support, SSI, SDI, Unemployment, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Internship Stipends, etc.
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Verification (if applicable)
  • Letter of Reference from a previous or current landlord (may use attached landlord reference form)
  • Your current resume
  • Verification of your school registration that includes current class schedule – very important
  • www.creditkarma.com (your credit report & score)
  • Student Education Plan (from school or vocational training program)
  • Unofficial college transcripts (if attended or are attending a community college or university)

For your children under age 18

  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Verification of School/Daycare (Current Student ID card or a letter from the School/Daycare with Name, Address & Phone Number)