about us
Audrey Lee is passionate about real estate, with nearly 40 years of experience in residential and commercial sectors. She possesses extensive knowledge in sales, leasing, property management, and investing. Driven by her expertise, she aims to address social injustices that hinder low-income individuals and minorities from acquiring homes for their families.
With over 20 years in medical translation, I have honed skills in observation and decision-making. My technical expertise and dedication to societal benefit guide my contributions to organizations, always prioritizing the needs of others.
Natchura Hapi, a retired Realtor and Real Estate Investor, now consults residents of Chicago's South and West sides on healthy diets to prevent diseases. A humanitarian, she provides clothing, shoes, and blankets to the homeless in winter. With 25 years as a bookkeeper at A New Horizon, she is well-suited to serve as treasurer, managing housing budgets and resources for those in need.
Everardo Silva has 25 years of experience as a contractor, building homes in Highland Park, North Brook, and Skokie, drawing from his background in rehabbing single-family homes in Chicago and surrounding areas. He will assist homebuyers with resources for repairs, new construction, zoning, project management, and safety measures. His focus is on providing stable, structurally sound housing and offering guidelines and budgets for preventative maintenance, instilling pride in homeownership.
Myra Crowell, a Chicago native, has experience as an Account Executive and Benefits Advisor in insurance and technology. She plays a crucial role in connecting with individuals and organizations in human services related to housing. As our networker, she collaborates with nonprofits, government, and private corporations to promote our mission of providing shelter and permanent housing to those in need.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to assist families and individuals who are homeless, displaced, or reliant on PHA and rental subsidies with the ability to purchase homes. Securing them with permanent housing will make participants self-sufficient. Such efforts will also serve to reduce the housing disparity for minorities. We believe that those of low to moderate-income who cannot obtain the financial means deserve assistance in achieving the American dream. Our organization will provide participants with education through training programs, mentoring services, partnerships, and financial resources. This opportunity will give our participants the ability to pass on a legacy which has not been a practice for far too long.
jOINING THE WORKFORCE
TO QUALIFY FOR HOUSING
The recipients must understand this journey could take anywhere from two to five years, depending on the circumstances. To start we will make sure each individual has the same opportunities. To prepare for their new home, helping them enter the workforce will be the beginning for many. We will provide the necessary tools and resources to help them select the type of occupation they would be best suited for. We will assist with the preparation of a resume and how to apply for employment. We will network with other organizations and partners for job training. We will also teach them how to prepare for an interview by rehearsing the verbal dialog that will take place with an interviewer. We will give each client the skillset to dititally look for jobs and obtain employment.
PREPARING FOR HOME PURCHASE
Our organization will provide permanent decent and suitable homes for its buyers. Collaborating with lenders to offer the purchasers alternative loan servicing with first-time buyer programs, and rehabilitation loans for properties in disrepair. The most challenging for the organization will be to help participants to purchase land to build a new constructed or modular home. We will partner with real estate firms with the same goals using resources that will allow them access to new construction homes, condos, and co-ops. We will provide counceling for each buyer through the home purchasing process from the prequalification, credit repair and debt payment, to the purchase contract, home inspection, loan application, purchasing of home insurance and final acquisition. We will include post-purchasing training such as budgeting for home maintenance and being good neighbors. We will be a constant source of information for the homeowner. Referring them to state and local agencies for real estate taxes, including those services for the disabled and seniors, legal aid and other service.