A Houston mother, Ladasha Perro, just received the keys to her very first home, calling the gift a “life-changing” event, perfectly timed for the Christmas holiday.
This dream became a reality thanks to the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department, which hopes more families will follow suit.
Perro told Click2Houston that just three years ago, she never thought she would be preparing to move into her own home.
“I’m just blessed… I really am,” Perro said. “Being a homeowner has been one of my goals for a long time.”
The single mother juggles a full-time job with her education. This achievement was made possible through the city’s Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBAP 2.0).
This program offers financial aid to Houston residents who lived in the city during Hurricane Harvey and meet the necessary income and documentation requirements.
Javelle Johnson, the communications manager for the Housing and Community Development Department, stated that the city’s assistance program provides aspiring homeowners with up to $125,000.
This financial support can be used for various costs associated with buying a home, including down payments, closing costs, principal reduction, and other related expenses.
The program is financed by federal disaster relief funds managed by the state.
“The first step is making sure you were here during the storm,” said Cedric LaSane, assistant director of the department. “You can provide a lease or ID, a utility statement or bank statement, tax returns — documents that show you were a Houston resident during Harvey.”
So far, 27 families have received assistance through the program, and according to officials, additional funding is still accessible. Perro expressed her gratitude for being among the beneficiaries.
“I’m extremely happy about it,” she said. “When I get off work, I’ll be rushing to get home.”
This success mirrors the story of LaRosa Solo, an Atlanta woman who, in September, also found the relief of owning her own home after battling homelessness with her adult son, thanks to the assistance of neighborhood organizations in Atlanta.
They were both sleeping on the pavement next to the courthouse in Fulton County. “I’m literally sitting in my own home, I’m not sitting outside like when you first interviewed me,” Solo told the outlet. “God is good. This is my home.”
Local neighborhood organizations helped Solo successfully secure a new home in the city.
The family’s difficult situation was first publicized in February when Atlanta News First was investigating homelessness and found them sleeping on the pavement near the Fulton County courthouse.
“I’m literally sitting in my own home, I’m not sitting outside like when you first interviewed me,” Solo told the outlet. “God is good. This is my home.”
“I wouldn’t wish that on nobody. Homelessness is an awful thing,” Solo said.
Solo became homeless after her husband’s death left her unable to pay rent. She expressed gratitude for the support she received, calling the help a blessing from God and organizations like Partners for Home, which assists homeless individuals in Atlanta with access to housing.
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