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I moved into JCECDC’s Resurrection House in May of 1998 with one daughter, whom at the time was 8 months old, into a small 2- bedroom apartment. Five years later I had a son and moving into a larger space was a necessity. My desire to become a homeowner grew even stronger. I wanted my kids to have a house to grow up in as I had as a child. However, after researching I found that owning a private-market house seemed almost impossible for me…a single mother of two, with a low to moderate income and fair credit.
After taking the necessary steps to clean up my credit history and save money, I was accepted into a homebuyer program offered by the City. I just knew this was it! Unfortunately, the allotted funds for mortgage buy down for a one-family or two-family house weren’t enough to purchase an existing home that was desirable or even livable in some cases. I found myself back at square one…trying to find assistance for someone in my position.
Approximately one year later, I was introduced to a First Time Homebuyer Program offered by JCECDC. After completing the seven week class and sitting with counselor Pat Hawkins, I knew when I would be ready to purchase. Although my first application for one of JCECDC’s developments was denied because I hadn’t saved quite enough money, my determination grew. With further desire, I made sure I had enough saved when I submitted my second application and sure enough within a short period of time I had become a homeowner; fulfilling a life-long goal.
Mr. Victor and Mrs. Mariana Gonzalez are the proud owners of one of the Eugenia Suthern Homes. After many years of searching for a home, their dream came true. Victor and Mariana have been married for over 15 years and have a 10 year old daughter. Mariana is a graduate of JCECDC's First Time Homebuyer program. Her family migrated to the United States from Ecuador in the 1990s. Victor is currently a bus driver for Academy Bus lines.
Ms. Yemanda Jackson searched for many years before finding JCECDC affordable homes. Private market housing was not in her price range and her search for affordable housing was very frustrating and sometimes discouraging. Ms. Jackson, a moderate-income first time homebuyer, purchased her two family home with JCECDC's Eugenia Suthern Homes in May 2004. She successfully completed a First Time Homebuyer class that helped her reduce her debts and save in order to purchase her first home. Ms. Jackson was honored by the Jersey City Affordable Housing Coalition during Affordable Housing month in October 2005.
In November 2000, Ms. Dionne D. Brown, mother of two girls ages 8 ½ and 12 ½, moved into one of the Jersey City Episcopal CDC's properties, The Resurrection House. While residing at Resurrection House, Ms. Brown determined to keep improving her life, decided to take advantage Jersey City Housing Authority's of the first time homebuyers program, which she completed in 2001. Because of her busy schedule, raising 2 daughters, working full time and pursuing her education at Cornell University, Ms. Brown made a decision to defer her pursuit of purchasing at home.
After much hard work, dedication, commitment and sacrifices, in 2003, she graduated from Cornell University with a double major - Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Social Research and Sociolology.
After such a major milestone in her life, Ms. Brown, once again put homeownership on her list of goals. In the spring of 2003, she went to the JCHA to recertify her section 8 certificate and in a brief discussion, with the JCHA certification administrator, she was again encouraged to take the First Time Homebuyer’s class, this time it was recommended she take the class sponsored by JCECDC.
While living at Resurrection House, Dionne was very active in the tenants association. During one of her meetings she met John E. Restrepo, who was the newly hired Director of Real Estate. During the meeting, she discussed her concerns about families living in apartments which were too small to accommodate their family size. JCECDC management, (John) encouraged her to think about pursing home ownership. John shared information with her about properties that were currently in the pipeline and she was certainly interested in one of them, 67 Astor Place. They arranged to meet and later and discuss the logistics for applying for the property.
In the following months, Ms. Brown submitted her application with the State and was approved. She successfully completed her First Time Homebuyer program with JCECDC. During the mortgage process Ms. Brown met with several challenges in her attempts to obtain a mortgage, but, through her drive and a little assistance from JCECDC management, Ms. Brown finally received a mortgage commitment, closed on her home and moved in November 2004.
Juanita Sollivan, Buyer of one of the Grant/Myrtle Homes
Joanne Nunez, Buyer of one of the Greenville Homes
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