"Budget was like the word 'diet,' it was simply not in my vocabulary." Such were the words of Angela Davis, as she stood proudly in HUD's New England Regional Office, in Boston, MA, as one of sixty graduates in a faith-based class of an Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Affordable Housing Program. Then she continued, and expressed sentiments similar to the others that day, saying, "I have learned so much through this Program, the coordinator, the trainers, and my classmates. I know my future is brighter, and I am on my way to reaching my goal to be a homebuyer."

This 50-week home-buying education course, coupled with an agreement by the family to invest $30.00 per week, for the receipt of a 4:1 match guarantee from public/private funds, meant that at the end of the course a grand total of $6,000 was saved for a down payment on the graduates' first home.

HUD's Regional Director, Kevin Keogh, recognized the graduates and gave special recognition to the many people and organizations who made possible the vision for this Program, including the Faith-Based communities of the Christian Economic Center, Emmanuel Gospel Center and the Christian Financial Services Association, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He also noted that this effort was one of the most comprehensive, first-time homebuyer programs that he had encountered, and that it was worthy of replication.

The faith-based organizations are all part of a seventy year old partnership called the "Network," whose mission it is to develop a network of faith-based economic and community development service providers devoted to stimulating the inner-city churches into action for the benefit of low and moderate-income neighborhoods.

The Executive Director of the Network, Reverend Frank Kelly, Pastor for the Way of the Cross Church, in Dorchester, moved from a financial calling as a bank executive to a higher calling representing the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, a key participant in this endeavor. On the private side there was also the Hyams Foundation, Citizens Bank of Boston, Fleet Bank of Boston.

Other HUD officials who represented HUD for this event included Deborah Griswold, Deputy Regional Director; Marcella Brown, HUB Director for the Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, and Raymond Jordan, Regional Faith-Based Liaison. The keynote speaker, Tom Kennedy, Vice President of Sovereign Bank of New England emphasized the connection between the greater good of the community and the family when activities are seen from the perspective of a homeowner and taxpayer.

Graduates also noted appreciation for the lifetime of friendships gained in sharing a yearlong experience, and showcased other personal talents, in inspirational songs and poems. They cited the late poet Langston Hughes, who wrote, "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." They also recognized HUD's New England Regional Office for HUD's continued support in this initiative, and for encouraging the "dreamers" through this faith-based effort.

Content Archived: March 21, 2011