From Homelessness to Homeowner: IOH Families Capture the American Dream

A single parent's story:

The first IOH resident to become a home owner was a single parent with a teenage son. The idea to pursue home ownership emerged after searching the housing market and realizing that a monthly mortgage payment would be the equivalent of monthly rent. She worked hard while at IOH and was able to improve her credit score and was approved for a home loan. The Director of Family Services and all the IOH residents supported the family through the process. It was a difficult time and a tough decision to make. The idea of owning a home was one that none of the IOH residents including this family ever thought would be a real possibility. On the day she purchased her condominium the Director of Family Services went with her to provide support, they returned to IOH late in the day and were meet by all the IOH residents dressed in their Sunday best to celebrate the occasion. Every one of the families at IOH that day went on to graduate the program and purchase homes. This brave family proved that it is possible to move from homelessness to homeownership.

One families successful recover from a weak job market:

Though hardworking, both Sam and Sarah had minimal skills and became casualties of a weak job market within four months of each other. They moved into IOH in the fall of 2003 with two children and Sarah gave birth to a third child by December of the same year. A dedicated IOH supporter's involvement landed Sam with a temp-to-hire warehouse job with a large, national company in February of 2004. By fall, his hard work and dedication had landed him a fulltime position with benefits. Sarah started a temp-to-hire position with another national company in the spring and by summer, she too had a fulltime position with benefits.

While at IOH, Sam and Sarah learned how to budget effectively and how to save. They were able to eliminate most of their debt. They relied on community partners like the Cowart Family Ashford Dunwoody YMCA and individual donor support to assist them with the high cost of summer camp and childcare. In February of 2005, the family was able to leave the program with enough savings to pay down on their very first home.

A families hard work leads to homehownership:  

A 2005 graduate family left the program in late September and moved into their first home, a two-bedroom condominium near Chamblee-Tucker, with their two daughters.  The wife, a student at Atlanta Area Technical School, was studying to be a nurse and working 12 hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays at the airport.  The husband, who received his “green card” just prior to entering the program quickly, worked his way up to a supervisory position in a small manufacturing company.  He also worked two part-time jobs; sales support staff at Home Depot and a drop box collector for Wachovia Bank.  The wife graduated in 2006 and became employed full-time by Grady Hospital.  The husband was able to move up into a full time management position at Home Depot and is earning enough that he was able to quite his other two jobs. In 2006 they closed on a spacious home for themselves and their daughters; they use the condominium as rental property. The following year the family was able to make a financial donation to IOH to support programming.

Creative thinking helps families meet their goals:

A 2005 graduate family left IOH and moved into their new home in Snellville.  The father graduated from GMI and is employed by Northside Forsyth Hospital as a respiratory therapist.  He worked full-time and was a full-time student during his time at IOH.  The mother studied medical billing and has since started a home-based business doing the same.  She represents several medical offices and has a good client base.  Her home business allows her to care for their children. 

Each of these families remain connected to IOH in our Next Step Program. They still utilize the services of the after school program at IOH and the summer camp program at the YMCA. Most important however, the family still utilizes the case management services of Deborah Walker-Little, Director of Family Services at IOH. They are still budgeting, saving, and paying their bills on time. Sam and Sarah continue to work hard. Their children feel secure and happy. This family made the transition from homelessness to homeowner.

These are just a few examples of the major accomplishments residents of IOH have achieved. There are many more stories that could be told. To date 180 families have lived at IOH.  Thirteen families have moved from homelessness to home ownership, many more families have moved into other types of permanent housing. The sense of self-confidence and self-esteem developed from their time in residence at IOH is critical to each family’s long-term success.