(a) Purpose. (1) The purpose of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance with public and private resources, to enable families eligible to receive HUD assistance to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.

(2) The purpose of this part is to implement the policies and procedures applicable to operation of an FSS program under HUD's Section 8 Housing assistance payments programs, as established under section 23 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437u).

(b) Scope. Each owner may implement an FSS program independently or by way of a Cooperative Agreement with a Public Housing Agency (PHA) or another owner. Each owner that administers an FSS program must do so in accordance with the requirements of this part.

(c) Applicability. This part applies to owners of multifamily rental housing properties assisted by Section 8 Housing assistance payments programs. See part 984 of this title for program regulations applicable to PHAs.

(d) Non-participation. Tenant participation in an FSS program is voluntary. Assistance under Section 8 Housing assistance payments programs for a family that elects not to participate in an FSS program shall not be refused, delayed or terminated by reason of such election.