Rose stands in front of her home. Through New Hampshire Housing’s GOAL Program, Rose learned how to improve her credit and prepare for homeownership.
Three years ago, Rose thought homeownership would be impossible. Today, as she gives a tour of her home—complete with a porch and a yard—she said she pinches herself sometimes.
“I’m still stunned,” she said.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Rose moved to New Hampshire and transferred into New Hampshire Housing’s Housing Choice Voucher program nine years ago. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides individuals and families with a subsidy toward their rent. While on the program, Rose worked full time at the local Stop and Shop and went to school to earn her associate’s degree in early childhood education.
One day she received a letter about the GOAL Program. The GOAL Program is available to Housing Choice Voucher families whose head of household can work at least part-time. As households increase their earned income, they build up an escrow account that can be used toward education or homeownership.
Rose gradually built up her escrow account, which she then used to pay off some of her credit card debt. She also signed up for an Individual Development Account (IDA), a special matched savings account. With an IDA, Rose was able to receive a $3.00 match for every $1.00 she saved, as long as she made a minimum deposit of $25 of her earned income each month and completed coursework in financial fitness.
In the summer of 2012, her real estate agent found the single-floor, two-bedroom house that would quickly become her own last July.
Today, Rose loves walking through her new neighborhood, and is hoping to convert an extra room into a music room so she can finish working on a CD she has been recording.
For those who are contemplating starting their own journey through GOAL to homeownership, she says to not doubt their ability.
“You can do it,” she said. “It does happen.”
Watch the video to learn more about her story!
