TESTIMONIALS
HOST Homeowner Story : Kamille Irwin
Strengthening the community in which she lives has always been important to Kamille Irwin.In her job as an administrative assistant at the Portland House of Umoja, Irwin assists in the operation of a residential facility for at-risk boys in Northeast Portland. Since becoming a HOST homeowner in September 1999, Irwin has become an active participant her Northeast Portland neighborhood. Therefore, home ownership has created more than a space she could call her own. It has given Irwin and her family pride in their home and neighborhood.
Until she began working with HOST, Irwin never believed that home ownership was a possibility for her family. However, HOST provided Irwin with the direction and encouragement to determine a monthly budget, resolve past credit problems and cut out unnecessary spending.
"Never in a million years did I think I could buy a house. I couldn't have done it without HOST's help. Every step of the way they were patient and accessible, helping me clean up my credit and stay focused on my goal.
"When I got the keys to my own home, it was like a dream come true. Sometimes I still can't believe it's mine. It was a real team effort and I would definitely recommend HOST to anyone who's serious about settling down and owning a home."
Irwin's house is a few blocks from the House of Umoja and her children's school on Alberta Street in Northeast Portland. Since moving into her home, Irwin has become a community participant and leader as a volunteer for Just Men in Recovery, a nonprofit in her neighborhood. Irwin helps with office management and provides design services, creating the logo and layout for the organization's materials.
"Owning my home has given me an incredible sense of freedom," she says. "My kids are proud of where we live and we really care about our neighborhood. HOST is a program for anyone who's serious about owning a home. I have a stake in my community, and we all deserve to be a part of it. Home ownership is possible. I'd like people to know that we all deserve to have a piece of the pie."
Established in 1989, HOST Development Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable home ownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families.
HOST Homeowner Story : Antonio Porras Jr.
After eight years of renting an apartment in Northwest Portland , Antonio and Jane Porras dreamed of owning a house of their own. However, Antonio, a lawyer who specializes in immigration law and criminal defense for low-income people, was still paying off his college loans and raising twin daughters. He thought home ownership was not yet an option.
Antonio's outlook changed when he read about HOST's houses at Cathedral Commons in an October 2000 Oregonian article. The Porrases were impressed by the photos of the houses and began to investigate the program, apply for loans and attend home ownership classes. HOST's experienced team of lending specialists guided the Porrases through loan applications, mortgage agreements and closing costs to emerge as homeowners 10 years earlier than they had previously imagined. In January of 2001, the Porrases moved into a home in Cathedral Commons, making their dream a reality.
"Getting the keys to our house was surreal, like a dream - I never thought it would happen so soon," Antonio says. "Without the help of the HOST team, navigating our way through loan and mortgage applications as first-time homebuyers would have been scary. HOST made it easier for us. They were flexible, accessible and took care of the small details we might have missed. Overall, I was really impressed with the program, and the care they took in helping us reach our goal."
Four months later, the Porrases are enjoying life in their new home and neighborhood. The eight-year-old twins love playing with the other kids nearby and Antonio intends to become involved in the Home Ownership Association.
"The future's looking bright for us. We're no longer throwing money away on rent and this house is something I can pass on to my daughters," Antonio says. "The location is beautiful. St. Johns is a great place to live and we've got space to grow into. We've been very happy with the size, quality, and amenities of our house. It's worth every penny.
"The joys of home ownership are incomparable. When we were renting an apartment in Northwest, we didn't spend a lot of time there because we had very little living space. Now, coming home is a joy. We spend lots of time here and my daughters have their friends over; they love playing hostess. HOST is a great program and a fantastic opportunity. For our family, home ownership was the best kind of investment and HOST helped make it possible."
Established in 1989, HOST Development Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable home ownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families.
