Housing Choice Voucher

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Goldenrod Regional Housing Agency is happy to provide the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program to its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher clients. The Head of Household chooses their goals and writes them into a contract. The final goals should be suitable employment and free of government welfare. Participants work with their case manager to help meet their goals. The case manager will refer clients to a variety of entities to help them meet their goals. Some examples are, but not limited to: budgeting classes, education career counseling, and/or job searching methods. The family continues to pay rent to the owner in accordance to their income. When the family's earned income increases, they will assume responsibility over the greater amount of rent. The difference in rental amount will be deposited into a savings account each month. The family will receive the full amount along with interest in their savings account after successful completion of the contract.

How To Apply

The first step is to contact GRHA and let the FSS Coordinator know you are interested in the program or mail the interest card back to us. The case manager will send you a handbook and an application to complete. After the application is completed, the case manager will set up a time to sign and complete the contract. Once this is all completed, you are on your way to becoming financially independent!

What is FSS?

Homeownership Program

After a family has been on a rental assistance program, they are eligible to apply for the Section 8 Homeownership Program. This program allows families to use their voucher to help make a mortgage payment instead of a rental payment. Additional qualifications must be met such as minimum income and employment requirements, and the family must have first-time homebuyer status.

Do I Qualify?

To qualify initially, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a first-time homebuyer as defined by HUD.
• You may be a current Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher recipient (including new admission) or households that "ported in" in good standing, or have been on any rental assistance program for at least one year.
• You must have a minimum annual income, not less than federal minimum wage multiplied by 2,000 (currently $14,500), with the exeception of elderly or disabled households.
• One adult of the household must be employed full time (at least 30 hours per week) and must have continuous employment for at least 12 months or more, with the exception of elderly and disabled households.
• You must attend and successfully complete a pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program which is required by GRHA.

What Steps Do I Take to Become a Homeowner?

The steps to follow:

• Attend and successfully complete a pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program.
• Complete an eligibility and intake assesment to see if you are eligible for the program.
• The FSS/HO Coordinator will contact you to set up an appointment.
• Once we determine you are "mortgage ready," we will help you step by step in the homeownership process.
• After we assist you in the process of obtaining pre-approval for financing, you can begin your search for a new home.
• When you have found a home in your price range, notify the FSS/HO Coordinator at 402-529-6278 or grhadir@gpcom.net.

Contact Us

If you are interested in becoming a homeowner using the Section 8 Homeownership Assistance Program and you meet the eligibility criteria for the program, the first step is to contact us and ask to speak with the Family Self-Sufficiency/Homeownership (FSS/HO) Coordinator. The FSS/HO Coordinator will answer your questions and refer you to a program briefing. Please call or email:

1017 Ave E
PO Box 799
Wisner, NE 68791