ARMY VETERAN
BECOMES FIRST-TIME
BUYER THROUGH
HOUSING CHANNEL AND
ARLINGTON HOMEBUYERS’
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Yolanda LeBron, an Army veteran with a disability, is busy these days decorating and organizing her first home as
one of Arlington’s newest homeowners.
LeBron was able to achieve her dream of owning her very own place at the new Bel Air development on Abram
Street thanks to the City of Arlington Homebuyers’ Assistance Program. In all, LeBron qualified for $35,000 in
down payment and closing costs assistance after completing financial classes offered by the Housing Channel,
a nonprofit housing organization whose mission is to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and to increase the
amount of quality, affordable housing available to low- and moderate-income families and individuals with
special housing needs.
“They were all fantastic people. They were in my corner,” said LeBron, who turned 64 in July. “I didn’t find it
cumbersome or time consuming, it was very informative and very encouraging. I’m so blessed.”
Thank you Heavenly
Father. It’s a peace of
mind and it’s mine.
—YOLANDA LEBRON,
ARLINGTON FIRST-TIME
HOMEBUYER
�
Over the past year, Housing Channel staff helped 330 Arlington
residents, including LeBron, to provide credit and financial counseling
and other information needed to help them on their path to first-time
homeownership, Housing Channel Executive Director Donna Van Ness
said.
“Our mission is to help people overcome their challenges and create that
wealth for themselves and future generations. It is the American Dream.
Buying a home is one of the best ways to stop generational poverty and
help build wealth for families,” Van Ness said.
LeBron was one of the first residents to purchase a townhome with
financial assistance at the Housing Channel’s new Bel Air on Abram
development, which opened in November.
Bel Air’s first phase features five buildings with 16 townhomes that provided housing options with a range of
price points and floorplans from $195,000 to $310,000. Through grants, qualified buyers such as LeBron were
eligible for down payment assistance ranging from $7,500 to $35,000.
From red kitchen accents, rugs, curtains and house plants, LeBron said she is enjoying the time she and her son,
Angimero Lebron, are spending together to make her new home cozy and comfortable. The best things is that
she is now saving about $500 a month compared to what she had been paying in rent for her apartment.
“I say ‘Thank you, Heavenly Father.’ It’s a peace of mind and it’s mine,” LeBron said.
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