Phillip once thought homeownership was out of reach. After the tragic death of his wife, he struggled to raise three children in a two-bedroom apartment. With a loss of income from his wife's death, Phillip faced a financial situation that seemed almost impossible to overcome.

Yet he still dreamt of owning a home for his family. So he enrolled in a HUD-approved housing counseling program through HomeFree-USA. After saving money from his job as a truck driver and receiving some more funds from a reality television show, Phillip bought a two-story home in District Heights, Maryland.

Thanks to hard work, support from groups like HUD, and a commitment to his dream, homeownership became a reality for Phillip Crosson and his three children. Now, the home that he and his wife had always dreamed of serves as a reminder of the life- and dreams-they shared together.

"There was a time when I wondered if I could ever own a home with the kids based on my pay," Phillip said. "HUD and the HomeFree-USA program was a blessing for me. They helped me believe that buying a house was possible."

Countless American families face obstacles to homeownership. High downpayment costs, costly loans, and a lack of information are just a few. But People like Phillip Crosson show us that having a dream and knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference.

Let's keep that in mind especially this month.