When Fannie Grundy walks into the Ark-Tex Council of Governments each morning, she knows her phone will be ringing constantly. While some might find the perpetual interruptions exhausting, Fannie sees each call as an opportunity to help someone in need find safe, affordable housing.
As a Housing Specialist at ATCOG, Grundy serves as a crucial bridge between families seeking assistance and the Housing Choice Voucher program.
“I assist people in need of affordable housing,” Grundy explains. “When a housing choice voucher is issued to someone, I explain how the program works and how to utilize the voucher. I manage their case, adjusting their rent amounts based on changes in their income.”
While many people are familiar with the concept of housing choice vouchers, Fannie reveals one lesser-known aspect of the program that can make a significant difference for participants. Vouchers are valid for 120 days, giving recipients four months to find suitable housing.
Fannie also highlights the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program, that allows Housing Choice Voucher participants to save money for goals like pursuing a college education. “This may help them improve their circumstances, allowing them to move away from subsidy dependence,” she said.
Despite the demanding nature of her position, Grundy maintains a positive outlook on her daily responsibilities.
“I enjoy my job and the opportunity to help people,” she said.
What keeps her motivated? The people she works alongside.
“It’s a joy to collaborate with good people who have a great sense of humor, and we often share laughter,” Fannie says.
That sense of humor has certainly come in handy during moments like when she wore what she thought was a perfectly coordinated green blouse and green shoes to work, only to have coworkers point out that her shoes were actually brown.
When she’s not helping families navigate housing assistance, Fannie has some definite preferences about how she spends her time. If forced to choose just one meal for the rest of her life, she would pick steaks from Longhorn Steakhouse. Her most memorable concert experience was seeing Beverly and Maze perform live.
If her house were ever on fire, Fannie knows exactly what she’d save: her photo albums.
“That is something you can’t replace,” she emphasizes, highlighting her appreciation for preserving memories and meaningful moments.
Through her work at ATCOG, Fannie demonstrates that effective Housing Specialists require more than just administrative efficiency. They need genuine care, patience, and the ability to see each phone call as a chance to make a real difference in someone’s life.
Thank you for 10 years of service Fannie.