SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A federal credit union and a local housing program have come together to help more Texans become homeowners under the auspices of NCUA's Access Across America program. Security Service Federal Credit union has committed $10 million in home loans in a strategic partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services. The funds back a local mortgage product easing home purchasing for those of modest means. SSFCU is the first credit union to partner with NHS. The credit union has also provided a $10,000 cash donation to help fund homeowner education and overall operations. "When we're up to speed, we expect the program to help at least 20 to 30 additional families each year, quite possibly more," NHS Executive Director Ron Jodon said. "We see this partnership as an efficient and effective way to help more people get into homes and provide a better future for their families." "Home ownership can provide stability," SSFCU Chief Financial Officer Keith Sultemeier added. "That's a major contributor to the success of children in school, the continuity of families and the revitalization of communities. Our goal is to provide the benefits of homeownership to families that might not otherwise qualify for traditional loans." "This program is Access Across America in action," commented SSFCU Senior Vice President John Worthington. NHS is a nonprofit organization targeting individuals below 60% of the area median family income. Its mission is "to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods it serves through home ownership" and has a track record over the last 10 years of building and rehabbing hundreds of homes in inner city San Antonio. The program offers reasonable, locally informed financing, basic financial management education, and home maintenance and repair classes. SSFCU is the 10th largest credit union in the nation and the largest in San Antonio with over $3 billion in assets and more than half a million members. It has 22 Texas locations and 6 facilities in Colorado. [email protected]