Disability - No Problem for this Homebuyer

Allison stands proudly in front of her new home.

Allison enjoys the new chair her parents bought her as a house-warming gift.

Allison is an active young woman who works nearly full-time, enjoys yard work, and just bought her first home. Allison also happens to have a disability and each year she loves to take part in many of the events at the Special Olympics.

Having lived with her parents all her life, Allison took a major step toward independence last year by moving into an apartment with a roommate. It didn't take her long to realize that renting was okay, but owning her own home would be much better. So she and her parents began exploring the idea of Allison buying her own home.

They started with a search of the Internet where they found the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) website. They checked out a few HUD-owned houses, and decided to visit the Sioux Falls HUD Field Office for more information. At the HUD office, Allison got information on housing counseling agencies, down payment assistance programs, first-time homebuyer programs, and other great home buying information.

Equipped with this new knowledge, she and her parents visited Sioux Empire Housing Partnership (SEHP). SEHP, an HUD-approved housing counseling agency, offers one-on-one counseling to prospective homebuyers. Staff at SEHP evaluated Allison's income and debt and provided her with a sensible price range of a home for which she could qualify.

After looking at several homes, Allison found one that she loved. She closed on the loan 60 days later, and now Allison is enjoying the comforts of her own home.

Allison's dream became possible with help from several agencies. Using HUD's website was a good first step, it reinforced Allison's idea of buying a home. A referral from HUD introduced them to SEHP who provided free homebuyer education and financial counseling. The City of Sioux Falls provided $8,000 for down payment assistance and closing costs through their Homebuyer Assistance Program. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority made the loan possible by providing a low interest (4.95%) rate through their first-time homebuyer program, and HUD insured Allison's new FHA loan.

Allison's dream has come true. Where there's a will, there's a way. Let us help you make your dream a reality today.