HOUSTON – Just in time for the Christmas holiday, a Houston mother received what she calls a life-changing gift: the keys to her first home. The opportunity came through the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department, which hopes more families will take advantage of the same program.
Three years ago, Ladasha Perro says she never imagined she’d be preparing to move into a home of her own.
“I’m just blessed… I really am,” Perro said. “Being a homeowner has been one of my goals for a long time.”
Perro, a single mother balancing full-time work and school, closed on her new home this week through the city’s Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program, also known as HBAP 2.0. The program provides financial support to residents who lived in Houston during Hurricane Harvey and meet income and documentation requirements.
Prospective applicants can receive up to $125,000 in down-payment assistance, according to Javelle Johnson, communications manager for the Housing and Community Development Department. The support can be applied to closing costs, principal reduction and other homebuying expenses.
The program is funded through federal disaster relief dollars administered by the state.
“The first step is making sure you were here during the storm,” said Cedric LaSane, assistant director of the department. “You can provide a lease or ID, a utility statement or bank statement, tax returns — documents that show you were a Houston resident during Harvey.”
Twenty-seven families have already benefited from the assistance, and officials say more funding remains available.
Perro says she’s grateful to be one of the recipients.
“I’m extremely happy about it,” she said. “When I get off work, I’ll be rushing to get home.”
Residents interested in checking eligibility or applying for the program can click here.