HONK Homeowner Stories
Sarah
“Being a single mom with a single income as a teacher, I would have never been able to afford a house in this market. All I could afford was an overpriced, tiny apartment with thin walls and noisy neighbors. As my daughters got older, it became more and more difficult for them to share a bedroom and keep the peace. They both needed space, a sanctuary of their own. As rent prices rose to even more unreasonable costs and the housing market continued to rise in even more unreasonable costs, I began to lose heart that I could ever own a house of my very own.
But a little sliver of hope remained. It inspired me to do a Google search of housing assistance programs in this area. That is when I found HONK. At first glance at the website, I thought it was too good to be true. But then I watched the video and was taken aback by the generosity of spirit and wisdom that HONK was built on. I immediately emailed to inquire and Gina, the most amazing financial counselor/fairy godmother that has ever existed, reached out to me and changed my life forever.
Over the next several months she guided me as to how I could begin to heal my credit and bolster my financial position. She made me feel empowered, supported, and understood. Through a lot of hard work, I was able to get into the financial position to rent to own my very own home.
At this time, there was a very special historical home that HONK had just made available, that had in fact been an African American School at one point. Being an educator, I felt like it was meant to be. I drove by the house in early fall. I had always dreamed of having a house that looked like it was from the book Anne of Green Gables, and this house looked just like Anne’s. I fell in love immediately.
Within a month I was moving in. It became such a sanctuary for my girls and myself. We each had our space, the price was very reasonable, everything in the house was new, and I didn’t have to share walls with neighbors!
After going through some more financial bolstering and financial literacy classes, I was in a position to buy my home at a very reasonable price. Proverbs 13:12 says that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. Before finding HONK I was heartsick, but now I feel rooted, safe, thankful, and healthy. My dad always wanted me to have my own home, and I know he is looking down from Heaven with a smile. I am forever grateful for the HONK team.”
Brianna
“My dream of owning my own home was riddled with obstacles and barriers that I couldn’t have navigated without HONK. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had their practical support and encouragement. What would have been a likely fruitless and frustrating chapter in my financial journey ended up being an empowering and rewarding experience because the wonderful people at HONK, and I could not be more grateful!”
Ian
“I can’t say enough how incredibly happy I am to have found HONK. Gina is absolutely phenomenal at what she does and I’m so thankful to have had her in my corner throughout all of this. From the absolute bottom of my heart the most sincerest thank you goes out to all those who made this possible!! This is the absolute definition of a dream becoming a reality for me.”
Angie
Angie was building positive momentum in her life. After being approved for HONK’s lease-to-own homeownership program in September of 2023, Angie began working with Gina, HONK’s Housing Counselor, to become matched with a home. HONK volunteers and staff were wrapping up renovation of a home in Covington that turned out to be a perfect fit.
“I went and looked at it several times and began to pray for guidance. [Gina] was going to show me the house and I arrived early to pray. I was on the porch and felt complete peace that this was going to be my home. When we walked in the house it was an immediate decision to say yes. I met Jeremy who was wonderful with helping me fix things and answer my questions about things around the house. I also attended Catholic Charities classes and I would recommend everyone go through that program… Thank you HONK for giving me the opportunity to have this time with my family and thank you for my forever home.”
Tiarra
Tiarra trabajó duro durante su estancia en nuestro programa de alquiler con opción a compra. Desde el primer día, estaba claro que tenía grandes sueños de ser propietaria y dar a sus hijos un lugar al que pudieran llamar hogar.
"Antes de ser propietario de una vivienda, la vida era una gran lucha. La vida en un apartamento era una pesadilla. Con demasiadas restricciones y sin privacidad - era una verdadera pesadilla. ¡¡Pero ya no!! Ahora somos propietarios de una casa!!"
"Sentí como si una ola de alivio nos bañara cuando crucé esa línea de meta hacia la propiedad de la vivienda. Por fin pudimos llamarlo hogar y ahora lo estamos haciendo nuestro, una habitación a la vez".
Bridnee
During Bidnee’s time in HONK’s lease-to-own program, she worked incredibly hard to get across the finish line and achieve homeownership.
Era decidida y siempre tenía la mente puesta en lograr su objetivo de convertirse en propietaria de una vivienda.
"Esta oportunidad con HONK ha cambiado mi vida. Ser madre soltera de un niño con necesidades especiales es duro, pero ahora me he quitado un enorme peso de encima. Mi hijo ahora puede jugar más libremente y ya no me preocupa nuestra seguridad. Gracias, Gina, y a todos los que ayudaron a hacer esto posible".
No podemos esperar a ver lo que les depara el futuro a Bridnee y a su hijo.
Chevy
Over 25 years, ago, Chevy’s mom Naan walked into HONK with a goal of bettering her life and the lives of her family. Through HONK’s lease-to-own program, Naan achieved her monumental goal of homeownership and gave her kids the home she dreamt of for years.
Flash forward, Chevy (pictured), Naan’s daughter, decided to follow in her mom’s footsteps and achieve homeownership through HONK.
"Me siento muy bendecida por poder comprar una casa para mi familia. El programa HONK no es sólo para tener una casa, sino que también me ha ofrecido conocimientos que durarán toda la vida. Estoy muy agradecida por ello. He trabajado mucho y ahora tengo mi casa".
We are so proud of Chevy for following in her mom’s footsteps and dedicating herself to providing a home for her family through HONK.
Abby
For Abby, becoming a homeowner was more than just an accomplishment that she could check off of a list. Closing on her home was a lifelong dream come true.
"Desde que tengo uso de razón, soñaba con tener una casa propia. Había cumplido muchos otros sueños y objetivos a los veintitantos años, pero tener una casa propia me parecía algo muy lejano. Hay muchos factores que hay que marcar para ser propietario de una casa, y yo no encajaba bien".
La determinación de Abby de dar a sus hijos una hermosa casa en la que crecer fue el motor que la impulsó a superar todos los contratiempos, obstáculos y tribulaciones que conlleva el proceso de convertirse en propietario de una vivienda por primera vez.
"Un amigo de la familia me habló de HONK, y me sorprendió que me eligieran para trabajar a través del programa. La casa que me mostró Gina no podía ser más perfecta para mi pequeña familia. Mi hija sigue diciendo que es la casa de mis sueños porque soy de la "vieja escuela" (la casa tiene casi 100 años, y siempre me han atraído las cosas antiguas/vintage). No se equivoca".
Fuimos muy afortunados de formar parte del viaje de Abby como propietaria de una vivienda y de ver cómo su duro trabajo daba sus frutos. Desde el primer día, todos admiramos su motivación y su impulso, y no podríamos estar más contentos de verla triunfar.
"HONK me ha dado un hogar seguro, cómodo y hermoso para hacer los mejores recuerdos con mis hijos en los próximos años. La casa de mis sueños. Realmente no hay nada mejor que eso".
Enhorabuena por la compra de tu primera casa Abby! No podemos esperar a ver lo que logras a continuación.
