At the Nevada County Department of Housing and Community Services, part of her job is helping Section 8 vouchers recipients get off vouchers and learn skills for a better-paying job. Participants maintain a job and pay what rent they can. If their pay increases, they put more toward rent, and more of their Section 8 money goes into escrow. At the end of five years, the escrow money is theirs, and many are off vouchers. Past participants have put their money toward becoming a registered nurse, attending junior college, making a down payment on a house and buying a reliable car.
Success is always a great thing to witness.
Despite the achievements, a few participants contacted by Anderson for The Union declined to be interviewed. Even people emerging from government assistance often feel shame, she said. Others met their goals before their contracts expired, freeing up vouchers that are in high demand. But unlike the voucher program, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program isn't at full capacity. Earlier this month, eight of the county's 32 slots remained open.