Five years ago, Denver resident Ana Blair moved into supportive housing for single-parent families.
A mother of two girls and one boy, Blair arrived with her family, a TV, an air mattress, and just $7 to her name. She still vividly remembers a conversation she had with her children that first night in their new apartment.
“I told them, when we move out, we will have a house,” said Blair. “I knew when I moved out of that apartment, I would have my life together enough to buy a home.”
Blair’s prediction came true thanks to her hard work, determination, and support from Brothers Redevelopment’s Individual Development Account (IDA) Program. Through the program, qualifying Denver residents can save $3,375, which the nonprofit matches at a 2:1 rate to be used toward a home purchase.
After months of saving, Blair used her funds — along with the matched savings from the IDA Program — to purchase a new townhome.
“I really just knew that I couldn’t do it without that extra support,” she said. “I can only go so far, but when you have a program that’s willing to match and give a little more, it really helps — especially as a single mom.”
Once she closed on her townhome, Blair wanted to make the moment unforgettable for her children. She decorated the exterior of the home with a “Welcome Home” sign surrounded by shiny star decorations, then took her kids on a walk before revealing the surprise.
When they saw the home for the first time, their excitement was overwhelming. One of her children hugged her and began to cry, and she cried with them.
“If I can do it, I want to be the one to tell everyone else they can do it and show everyone that anything is possible. But without that IDA, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do it on my own,” said Blair.
To learn more about the IDA Program in Denver and Adams counties, contact Brothers Redevelopment Housing Counselor and Housing Navigator Amy Kennedy at 303-685-4202 or amyk@brothersredevelopment.org.
A post shared by Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. (@brothersredevelopment)