Testimonials
Our job at Genesis Entrepreneur Bootstrap Funding is to find hidden gems in the non-profit housing arena who are doing a good job and getting great results. We have found this in Family Resources of New Orleans. Just read what some of past participants in other programs are saying.
“At the age of 65 and recently retired, I felt I was too old to purchase my first home. All of my kids were grown and gone. I heard about the homeownership program in my neighborhood and decided to pay a visit to Family Resources of New Orleans to speak with a Housing Counselor.
“Aside from my age, I thought I would need more income to afford a house note. To my surprise, I was the perfect candidate to participate in the Rural Self-Help Housing program. This program offered applicants the opportunity to build their own homes and allowed them to contribute labor hours to reduce the cost of construction by $15,000.
“I enrolled in the program, selected my building lot and house plan, and worked with a group of four team members to work on each home. I am now the proud homeowner of a beautiful single family, three bedrooms, two bath home 1,400 square ft. home that I helped build. My advice to others is that you don’t have to be rich to own a home; just manage your finances, pay debts on time, and take advantage of government programs offering low interest rates and longer mortgage terms. I often give walking tours to anyone who wishes to visit my home. With a wide grin, I never stop talking about my blessing as a new homeowner.”
-Lynell B.
“As a single mom with two school age girls, I worked hard to give my daughters the best life. I knew that public housing was only a temporary means to help me save and plan to one day own my own home. I learned about the home ownership program but had doubts that my minimum wage salary would be enough to qualify me for a home. Little did I know, the program was created specifically for working low wealth families like myself.
“A visit to discuss home ownership gave me hope, even though I was skeptical about putting in the work to meet program requirements. I felt my credit challenges were too demanding, therefore I delayed attending credit repair sessions. Asked what was taking me so long to follow the credit action plan, I felt it was too much of a challenge and impossible for me to own a home of my own.
“Repeated efforts to encourage me to follow the Credit Action plan finally paid off after I realized my scores were increasing. I was now ready to proceed with the program requirements of working with a group of four to help build each home. I recruited my dad, sisters, daughters, and mom to help contribute labor hours. My two sisters both built homes on the same street that I live on.
“Watching my two oldest daughters graduate from high school and go off to college, I now realize the value of home ownership. I adore the community. I raised my two older daughters and now I’m raising two younger kids. I learned the value of community and how my neighborhood has become a beacon of hope for my children and the next generation to come.”
-Quianna B.
“I was born with a visual impairment, yet I never felt isolated. I was raised by a strong grandmother and family who nurtured and advocated for my independence. Independence to me was having the opportunity to make my own decisions, participate with the community, and ultimately own my own home. Somewhat sheltered, I demanded that my family allow me to live on my own. My strong will led me to Family Resources of New Orleans where I learned about the home ownership process. My grandmother accompanied me, and was somewhat adamant about me living alone with my young son. I knew better and stood my ground!
“I met every income and credit criteria. I selected my own house plan with ADA accessibilities. I recruited family members to perform labor hours, worked within the group and completed my home. There were no barriers I could not overcome. I am a unique and gifted individual. My son is pursuing his own career goals and I will always be there for him now and in the future. One thing for sure, he will someday inherit the home I made possible through my hard work and labor of Love.”
-Jamona A.