Owning My Home Means: "no matter what else happens in my life I won't have to worry about being homeless."

Ownership means a lot more than having the keys, or paying the bills. We ask our applicants what home ownership means to them. Here are a few of their responses.

Home is a blessing.

"It always means freedom and control of my living situation and future. These are things I have yet to experience in my rental homes."

"A place of safety and security, where I can plan for my future and build a life knowing whatever happens next, I have a roof over my head. Being able to make a community with neighbors, where we can know the other person is going to be there next year and look forward to ways we can make the neighborhood what we want it to be together. But also having room to relax and live my own life on my own terms. " 

"We would be able to give our girls their own place. So they can run and play and have a secure home where they are safe and warm and we don't have to stay confined to a single room."

"The peace & security that comes with stable housing; can put down roots & take time to get to know my neighbors; can decorate or change things to fit my needs and comfort; pride of ownership & of building equity/security for old age; in this case also I love your model and the idea of how my participation would help others too by rolling the program forward"

"To have a place that I can be proud of, to have something that can’t be taken away or sold out from underneath me. A house of my own symbolizes safety and security. It’s an investment in myself and my future." 

"To know that I can make a good home for my children have stability and know that no one can take our safety from us. We don’t have to worry about rent increases, and I can start saving for my children’s future."

"It makes me feel safe and better about myself. It gives me the opportunity to make me feel at home like I belong. Also, owning my own home would give me the peace of mind that no matter what else happens in my life I won't have to worry about being homeless."

Village Cohousing Works' third home buyer got to celebrate Christmas with his kids in a home he owns.