HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency

GAO reviewed the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Family Self-Sufficiency Program, focusing on how the program applies to Indian housing authorities (IHA). GAO found that: (1) although the Indian community generally agrees with the program's concept and goals, it has not widely endorsed the program itself; (2) federal and Indian housing officials have suggested program changes, including making the program voluntary for IHA, and allowing eligible program participants to receive the escrow savings account set up for them under the program; and (3) those changes would allow participants to move from HUD-assisted rental housing to HUD-assisted, IHA home ownership housing, from which they become ultimate buyers.