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Good Things Happen to Good People: First-Time Homebuyer Earns Grant
CommunityApril 23, 2025
Buying a home was a dream for 42-year-old Carla. As a renter her entire life, she longed for a place that she and her wife Genie and their young son could call their own.
Working for years as an assistant director of a not-for-profit, Carla enjoyed helping improve the lives of others. When it came to her own financial future, however, she was less confident. “As a first-time home buyer with no experience in the process, I was very nervous and had no idea what to expect,” Carla recounts.
Overwhelmed with the prospect of making such a large investment, she wanted to understand the complexities of the process. She researched resources that she, too, could rely on to capitalize on the goodwill of organizations that could help people in her situation.
That’s when she discovered the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. The GLCU Foundation’s HUD-certified housing and financial counselors partner with clients to understand their unique needs, guide them through personalized action plans, and help put into practice theories that genuinely work.
During Carla’s meeting with Housing and Financial Counselor Jessie Flores, they discussed the steps necessary to begin the home-buying process. Jessie took Carla through the process every step of the way, beginning with a comprehensive overview of Carla’s financials, including household income, expenses, debts, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and more. This provided a snapshot of Carla’s financial picture and gave them insight into what she could afford. Carla also attended a home-buying class and afterwards, Jessie answered her many questions, even offering to help Carla’s wife track her spending and improve her credit.
What’s more, Jessie connected Carla with a mortgage lender and other experts in the homebuying field. Due to Carla’s income, she qualified for a grant that covered up to $17,500 in down-payment and closing cost assistance after taking the class and the counseling sessions.
Because Carla and her family were motivated to achieve their goals, they put in the hard work. Carla took her class and counseling very seriously. She interviewed the various professionals Jessie connected her with to find the best fit for her family’s needs. Together with regular meetings with Jessie, Carla set achievable short-term goals and made continuous progress toward her goal of homeownership. Genie continued to work on improving her credit and decreasing debt.
All their hard work paid off! In March of 2025, Carla closed on their new “forever home” in Mount Prospect. She and Genie plan to set roots and raise their child in their beautiful new neighborhood. Carla happily relates, “I am very grateful to the GLCU Foundation and specifically Jessie Flores for all her guidance. I would recommend this program to anyone considering homeownership.”
The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service.