The Douglas County Housing Authority is taking applications for a new housing program that will provide the participants an opportunity to become home owners. The Valley CROWN Program is a credit to own program where the participants rent a house during an established period while developing home ownership skills and building an escrow to use for purchasing a home at the end of the participation period.

The rental units are newly constructed houses located in Valley, NE. There will be 12 houses, all of which are 3 bedroom units with a one car attached garage. Four of the units will be designed and built for handicap persons, and the units will meet the ADA requirements for accessibility. The goal is to have the new houses ready for occupancy by September of 2007.

Applicants must have income between 40% and 60% of the Area Medium Income for the number of persons in the household.

Applicants will also be screened and verifications will be conducted.

• Income verification on all adult household members
• Household composition status
• Full time student status
• Previous rental records
• Criminal background checks
• Citizenship verification on all household members

If you are interested in applying for this housing program, you may request a Pre-Application by mail or you can come to the Douglas County Housing Authority’s office to complete the Pre-Application.

Applicants will be entered on the Valley CROWN waiting list by date and time of receipt of the Pre-Application.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program enables low-income persons/families to rent from a private landlord with rental assistance administered by DCHA. Clients must find their own housing within DCHA's jurisdiction. Currently, the Section 8 program serves more than 900 families.

To be eligible for Section 8, clients must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen with eligible status, meet income guidelines established by HUD, and pass a criminal background check.

There is a three-month to one-year waiting list for Section 8 assistance. When DCHA is accepting applications, a notice is published in the Omaha World Herald "public notices" section, in the Omaha Star and in the Thrifty Nickel. DCHA does not provide emergency housing. (See FAQ section for more information.)

Family Self Sufficiency
Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) is a voluntary program for Section 8 families designed to help clients obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS program is designed to link participants with the appropriate supportive community services and resources needed to reduce their dependence on public assistance. Participants create a five-year plan that includes training, education and employment goals. An interest-bearing FSS escrow account is established by DCHA for each participating family.

Homeownership
The Section 8 Homeownership Program works much like the Section 8 Rental Assistance program except that the subsidy clients receive is applied toward a mortgage on a home rather than to rent. To be eligible for homeownership, participants must be employed at least 30 hours/week, must meet income eligibility requirements, and must successfully complete a homeownership counseling program.

The Public Housing program provides housing options for disabled, elderly and families whose income meet HUD's guidelines. Applications for elderly and disabled units are accepted at any
time by calling 444-6203 ext. 15 or ext. 21.

Single Family Rental Homes
DCHA owns and manages 38 three- and four- bedroom single-family homes located in southwest and northwest Omaha. When the Housing Authority opens the waiting list, notices will be placed in area newspapers.

Elderly and Disabled Housing
DCHA owns and manages elderly and disabled one bedroom apartments in three locations: