LIFT Annual Report 2013: Building Strong Foundations | Page 31

in a state of acute distress,” she says. “My advocate and I
worked on the basic question, ‘What do we do?’” Niki and
her advocate took the steps needed to avoid overwhelming
her. They worked on organization, action steps and followthroughs. They investigated the resources which ultimately
led Niki to find a first-time homebuyers program that
helped her secure a condominium through special financing
for low-income DC residents. Niki continued visiting LIFT
because she needed help with the mortgage paperwork.
She laughs ruefully at the memory. “Pre-deed information
questionnaire—what in the world is that?”
The terms of Niki’s mortgage entail strict financial guidelines,
and foreclosure has befallen many other first-time
homebuyers who initially found stable housing. “LIFT helps
me maintain being a homeowner,” smiles Niki. This newfound stability has allowed her both to secure employment
as a yoga instructor in the recovery field and to resurrect her
artistic life.

“I’m finally coming back
after a lost decade.”

40,665 = 523%
MEMBER MEETINGS

LIFT HAS INCREASED THE
NUMBER OF MEMBER
MEETINGS THIS YEAR

29