Stepping Into Stability: Trisha Koch Graduates CCHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Takes Home $15,613 Check

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— The Clinton County Housing Authority recently celebrated a significant achievement as Trisha Koch successfully completed its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Through the program, which is designed to help families living in subsidized housing work toward financial independence, Trisha’s hard work and determination paid off when she was presented with a check for $15,613.12, representing the funds she saved in her escrow account during her participation.

 

The FSS program—administered locally by the Clinton County Housing Authority (CCHA) under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—offers families living in subsidized housing a unique opportunity by providing support as they take steps toward financial independence. Participants work with an FSS Coordinator to set personal goals, develop a plan to achieve those goals, gain access to financial education and career support, and accumulate savings through an escrow account, which allows them to put aside money as their income increases from employment. As participants’ earnings grow, so does their escrow account, and those funds are available upon successful program completion as a springboard to independence.

 

Trisha’s journey began in October 2023, when she enrolled in the FSS program with determination and clear goals, including finding stable employment, improving her credit score, and gaining the financial knowledge necessary for homeownership. Through the FSS Program, she not only reached those goals but surpassed them.

 

Through the Housing Authority’s homeownership workshops—led by Patty Davis of Davis Real Estate—and ongoing guidance from FSS Coordinator Tia Walker and her team, Trisha was able to make significant improvements to her financial situation. She successfully reduced her debt, boosted her credit score by an impressive 100 points, and secured long-term employment at First Quality in Lock Haven.

 

FSS Coordinator Tia Walker addressed the Clinton County Commissioners during their meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025, where Commissioner Angela Harding praised the program and invited Walker to share more details. 

 

“The program is designed for tenants who are interested in finding employment and have other goals for themselves. It is a nationwide program, so everybody who comes in has two main goals, which are to have self-sustaining employment and to no longer be receiving TANF cash assistance at the end of the program,” Walker explained. “Participants do come up with other goals, such as homeownership, improving credit scores, [completing] GED programs or secondary education, so anything that they want to do, we work with them to help them achieve those goals.”

 

Walker went on to describe how the program works for CCHA residents who start out unemployed and paying relatively low monthly rent. The objective is for participants to find employment, which leads to an increase in their rent to approximately 30% of their income. “Once their rent changes, they’re still responsible to pay that amount, but the difference from when they started the program to what their new rent is goes into an escrow account for them,” Walker explained. “As long as they’re working and working towards those goals, they can stay in the program for up to five years, and then once those goals are completed, they receive a check for the amount of money that they have been able to save.”

 

Walker reported that there are currently 27 participants in the FSS program. To date, eight individuals have graduated, with the latest being Trisha Koch, who accumulated nearly $16,000 in her escrow account by the time she completed the program.

 

Addressing the board of commissioners, Walker explained, “They can use the money for anything, but through case management, we work with them to make sure that they put that money towards paying off debt, purchasing a home in the county, or something that’s going to help them become self-sufficient.”

 

During the meeting, Commissioner Harding highlighted Trisha’s recent achievement, stating, “You recently had a graduate that was able to save enough and get their life back on track, reach their goals, and then buy a home.” Walker confirmed this, noting that three out of the eight FSS Program graduates have gone on to purchase homes.

 

“I appreciate you sharing that with us because I think it’s really important for the community to know that there are these programs to help people get on their feet— not that they were not productive members of society prior to, but through your leadership and guidance, and your team being able to help them see an end result and end goal, it’s really making an impact, so thank you,” said Commissioner Harding.

 

The Clinton County Housing Authority applauds Trisha on reaching this milestone—her success story is a testament to the FSS program’s core mission of empowering families to achieve long-term financial stability.

 

Through community partnerships and the determination of participants, brighter futures are taking shape in Clinton County. 

 

Local businesses that are interested in supporting the Family Self-Sufficiency program are invited to contact FSS Coordinator Tia Walker to learn more about ways they can make a meaningful difference in the community. Individuals seeking more information about the program are also welcome to contact Tia by calling 570-893-1911 or emailing Tia@clintoncountyhousing.com.