Thirteen months after getting in contact with New Visions CDC, a faith-based organization in Fort Lauderdale, Florida David Stamps became the proud homeowner of a 900 SF apartment in Oakland Park, Florida. With New Visions' help his credit score went up by 140 points! And then Mr. Stamps found Homeless to Homeownership.

Marcia Barry-Smith, a private bank vice-president who sponsors Homeless to Homeownership, clearly remembers Mr. Stamps' goal-oriented attitude and unique determination. Homeless to Homeownership is a homebuyers club that plays a key role in Broward County's 10-year plan to end homelessness. Life events had given Mr. Stamps a taste of what being homeless in urban America means.

Mr. Stamps had joined the US Air Force after graduating from college back in 1976. After a couple of promotions he left Homestead Air Force Base in Miami-Dade County and attempted to establish his own business. The business venture went wrong and over a number of years he held numerous jobs in different parts of the country. In the year 2005, while going back to school to get retrained, he became homeless, and the Broward Partnership for the Homeless got him in contact with Ms. Barry-Smith.

Homeless to Homeownership gave Mr. Stamps additional counseling and support, got him qualified for $50,000 in housing subsidies, and a home loan that he could afford from his two jobs. Most weekdays Mr. Stamps works from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. as a computer technician in Broward Community College and as residential coordinator for clients 55 and older at the Broward Partnership for the Homeless. He gave a down payment of $3,000. "I only was required to give a down payment of $1,450, but thought that a larger amount wouldn't hurt me," says the former homeless, today proud homeowner. His is a remarkable achievement in a market that has experienced an enormous increase in real estate prices over the last 3 years.

A few days ago, Mr. Stamps called the Miami Field Office Director to thank HUD for the guidance afforded to him that paved the way to his becoming a proud homeowner. Said Mr. Stamps: "You need to explore all the possibilities, and make a realistic decision on how much housing you can buy. Save as much as you can, until it hurts."