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Lindsey's Homeownership Success Story

Lindsey • September 6, 2022

Lindsey states "My life has many new beginnings; some of them have been positive and full of hope, some of them have brought everything to a screeching halt. Nevertheless, I have faced these changes and challenges with optimism and determination. My priority has always been the well-being of my four children and trying to surround them with an atmosphere of love, hope and acceptance.


In the summer of 2017, I left with my children from an abusive marriage. The years leading up to that point were filled with trauma, financial instability and bankruptcy, housing insecurity, PTSD, crippling self-doubt, uncertainty, and fear. When I was finally able to break free of that cycle, we moved back to my childhood home with my parents. While it was not an ideal situation, it was the best option available to begin the process of healing and rebuilding our lives.


Over the next several years, my children and I adapted to life in a multi-generational home that was not our own. There were many adjustments to be made, obstacles to overcome and some significant losses to endure. Lengthy custody battles left me financially drained and emotionally exhausted. I found a great sense of purpose working at Heartly House and helping others going through similar circumstances. I learned new skills and regained self-esteem that had been torn apart in the previous years.


Then, last fall, I learned that the home we were living in was going to be sold. The need to find a safe space for my family to call our own became not only a necessity, but the only clear path toward healing. I researched every option available to provide my (now teenage) children with our own home before summer. With skyrocketing home prices and rentals costing twice as much as I could afford, the situation was daunting.


I discovered the Interfaith Housing Alliance and USDA-RD loan program. I applied and was connected with the amazing people who helped me complete the mortgage application. Vivian and Carol made sure that every question was answered, and every document submitted for USDA to process the loan package. Once I received my COE, they connected me with a fantastic realtor, and I began searching for a home in the height of an insane real estate market. I was also able to tell my children the good news - that I was going to buy a house for us.


There were a few bumps along the way, but we found our forever home. We have more space than ever before. We live in a nice neighborhood that has everything we need close by. My daily commute was cut by more than half. My monthly mortgage payment is completely manageable and far less than rent would be for a home this size. I can take pride in the repairs I do and changes I make to it, and we can make it all our own. There will always be things in life that are out of my control but having a safe place to live is no longer one of them. Our family is finally home.


In the short month since I went to closing, our lives have changed in so many positive ways. We have true stability for the first time in years and our fate is in our own hands. I was able to give my children a place that is their own, a space to heal and grow, and a home that is filled with love and acceptance. Words cannot describe the amount of peace and empowerment that has come from buying my own home. Five years ago, when my life changed completely overnight, I never would have imagined this as a possibility. Now here we are, looking to the future with hope and confidence.


I would encourage anyone facing housing insecurity to contact IHA. They have been supportive and helpful every step of the way. I would not have been able to navigate through the application process with USDA without them. IHA helped to find any/all of the local programs that could assist with funding. They helped me narrow down my options and determine how much I could comfortably manage for a mortgage. My family has bright paths ahead now, and that we can walk with confidence knowing that we have a home. I have IHA to thank for that."


March 3, 2025
Gary Free grew up in Brunswick, MD. The first time he saw the Residences at Railroad Square, he knew he would love to live in the apartments. Now all he can think to himself is, “I am living here!” Gary said the day he signed his lease he was so happy! He has a picture hanging in his apartment that says, “You’re Home.” Gary looks at it often and says to himself, “I am!” He finally feels at peace. Gary feels his home is nice! He also feels one of the ways of living at Residences of Railroad Square is that he now has everything he ever wanted, asked for and needed. The only thing he feels is a concern is that most of the time he gets lonely. His goal is to try to meet people. He says, “I’m a very friendly person.” Gary says his experience living at the Residences at Railroad Square has been rather good. If he has any concerns he can talk to the office staff. He feels it can’t get any better than this!
By Crystal Thomas March 3, 2025
With excitement and anticipation, I watched the groundbreaking on June 29, 2023, with my assistant Vickie and IHA’s Supportive Services coordinator, Sandi. By the middle of September 2023 concrete walls were being set up. We watched as the roof was completed; then the windows and doors were installed. We impatiently waited for the day we received permission to see the inside of the Residences of Railroad Square property. Finally, on September 25, 2024, we had the privilege to tour the inside of this beautiful property. On the weekend of September 27, 2024, the IHA property management team along with the CEO Jodie, held a two-day in-person application event. The owners of First Stop Brunswick generously donated their space at 2. E. Baltimore Street. That lease up kick off generated 56 applications. Over the next three months, ninety more applications were submitted. Each applicant came with their own story which stirred our hearts. No matter how different their stories may have been, they all had the same wish, a place to call home for Christmas! On November 5, 2024, the first resident signed their lease and on December 23, 2024, the last empty unit was filled! Not only were we able to fulfill these residents' Christmas wishes but it also filled our hearts with joy!
March 3, 2025
In November 2024, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports IHA’s three workshop series: Credit Café ; Financial Freedom Bootcamp ; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. Ready, Set, Go… Home! walks participants through the entire homebuying process from start to finish. IHA also received a $1,574.37 designated grant from The PNC Homeownership Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These pass-through funds will directly support low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in achieving homeownership in Frederick County. In December 2024, IHA was awarded a $29,498 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). MAHT is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. This grant program is a valuable resource for the advancement of affordable housing initiatives and will provide operational assistance to IHA’s affordable multifamily community in Cumberland, MD. In January 2025, IHA was awarded a $2,500 grant by The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support IHA’s work across the multiple counties served by our programs and affordable rental communities.
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