This spring and summer the Personal Investment Enterprise Program is celebrating seven new homeowners that have purchased new homes! After saving and planning and attending classes and signing their names multiple times, these families are now living in their new homes in Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont.
Here is the story of one family that purchased their home with Habitat for Humanity:
Virginia, Alex, Esteban, Dafne, and Florencio Valdovinos.
Photo courtesy: Revert Photo.
Florencio, Virginia and their three children were searching for a stable home of their own. The Valdovinos said “when Habitat called to notify us that we had been accepted everyone, including the children, were excited. We could now begin to realize our common family dream of our own house”.
Florencio and Virginia completed a rigorous application process which included financial and credit screenings, background checks, interviews and references. The committee was very impressed with their financial integrity. The family attempted to open a new restaurant right before the economy went south. Due to these unfortunate events the family lost over $70,000 and was forced to file bankruptcy. The family was able to recover from this devastating loss, pay back all the taxes they owed the government and catch up on all other payments as well. As participants in the Personal Investment Enterprise Program, the Valdovinos family also saved $1,000 toward their closing costs and attended financial education and homeownership classes in preparation to purchase their new home.
“We thank God for making this possible and also the Habitat team for selecting us and wanting us to fulfill this family dream here in Longmont. The house for us means gratitude, unity, happiness and stability. We believe that our dreams can be achieved step by step with the help of all those involved,” wrote Virginia when asked about the significance of the house for her family.
If you are saving for homeownership or would like more information about affordable housing for the future, consider these resources:
1. City of Boulder Homeownership Programs
Download Boulder Affordable Homeownership Program Orientation flyer
2. Boulder Housing and Community Education
Download 2013homeownershiptrainingcalendar
Download 2013clasesdepropiedaddevivienda
3. Broomfield Housing Authority
4. Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Home Loan Programs
5. Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
6. Funding Partners Loan Programs
7. Habitat for Humanity of St. Vrain Valley
8. City of Longmont Downpayment Assistance Program
The Personal Investment Enterprise Program provides tools that empower low-income individuals and families to save and build assets to strengthen their economic stability. To learn more about the program visit www.bouldercountypie.org. The first step in applying to the program is to attend an orientation meeting with Nino Gallo at Community Action Programs at Boulder County. Nino may be reached at 303-441-3998 or at ngallo@bouldercounty.org.
