Sponsored Homes | Tim & George

When Henrietta first connected with her housing counselor at The Up Center in late 2022, she had a dream that many people her age had already achieved—owning a home of her own. Now in her mid-70s, she wanted a place to call hers, a space where she could finally feel the stability and peace she had longed for.

But the journey wasn’t easy. Despite her determination, debt and limited savings made the process difficult. With patience and dedication, her counselor worked alongside her—adjusting budgets, reviewing loan options, and helping her apply for programs that could make homeownership possible. In time, Henrietta was approved for a $25,000 down payment assistance grant and secured SPARC funds, which lowered her interest rate and made a mortgage more affordable.

Still, challenges persisted. After months of searching, she struggled to find a home within her price range, and her grant approval eventually expired. But she didn’t give up. Her counselor encouraged her to keep learning and preparing, helping her renew her First-Time Homebuyer certificate and reapply for assistance.

Then, things began to turn around. Henrietta received a raise and an increase in her Social Security income, which allowed her to qualify for a home priced at $225,000. With her counselor and realtor by her side, she found a condo she loved. It needed some updates—fresh paint and new flooring—but they were able to negotiate an additional $5,000 from the seller to cover those improvements.

In the spring of 2025, Henrietta closed on her very first home. As the final touches are completed, she’s already settling into a space that reflects her perseverance and the unwavering support of those who helped her get there.

Her story is a testament to what’s possible when determination meets guidance—a reminder that dreams have no age limit and that with the right support, stability and independence are always within reach.

When Marnie first met with her housing counselor at the end of 2023, she seemed ready to buy a home. She had a solid credit score, good savings, and even a pre-approval letter from her lender. But as the counselor got to know her, it became clear that while she was financially prepared, she wasn’t yet confident in the reality of managing a mortgage.

Together, they reviewed her budget line by line—calculating what monthly payment would allow her to buy comfortably while continuing to save and pay down her student loans. With that guidance, Marnie decided she wanted to keep her mortgage payment between $1,800 and $1,900 per month, including everything from principal to insurance.

When she shared that decision with her lender, she was told she could qualify for much more—but she stood firm. She chose a home priced below her pre-qualification limit to stay within her comfort zone. When inspection issues came up, Marnie didn’t back down. She told her agent she was willing to walk away if the seller didn’t make the necessary repairs. The seller agreed.

With help from her counselor, Marnie also secured a SPARC grant, allowing her to close on her first home in the summer without stretching her budget. She described feeling proud, secure, and in control of her finances for the first time.

Her counselor and she have follow-up meetings scheduled to update her budget with real utility costs—ensuring that her success as a homeowner continues to grow for years to come.

When Yolanda first connected with The Up Center’s Housing and Financial Counseling program in 2020, she was facing the uncertainty of lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, she worked hard to regain stability but soon faced new challenges, including two hospitalizations that made it difficult to stay current on her mortgage.

Throughout it all, Erica, her Housing Counselor, stayed by her side. She advocated for Yolanda through every step of the loss mitigation process, securing three separate mortgage forbearances over the years to help her keep her home.

Today, Yolanda’s situation looks very different. She now receives VA benefits and Social Security income and even rents a room in her home to another veteran for extra support. With her finances stabilized, Erica recently helped Yolanda take the next step—applying for assistance through the new Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program. This program helps veterans with VA home loans who have fallen behind on their payments find long-term solutions to keep their homes.

Erica worked closely with VA representatives, Yolanda’s loan technician, and her mortgage servicer to prepare the application. The case is now under review for a potential loan modification that could lower Yolanda’s interest rate and extend her mortgage term, making her payments even more manageable.

While the final decision is still pending, Yolanda’s progress represents exactly what The Up Center stands for—compassionate, persistent support that helps families find stability and hope. Erica’s dedication and commitment to understanding this new program have already made an impact, paving the way for other veterans to stay in their homes and move forward with confidence.