Corliss Richardson is a native Washingtonian who combined Doors and HPAP to purchase her Ward 5 condominium in 2022.
“The reason I wanted to purchase a home in D.C. is because of its transportation, property taxes are lower than Prince George’s County and D.C. offers better grants than the surrounding areas,” said Richardson.
Richardson attended an orientation about District housing programs where she learned about DC Open Doors.
Natasha Dulin and Walter Scott celebrated Natasha’s birthday a few days early when they purchased their Ward 8 home in September 2021. After learning about DC Open Doors during a homebuying webinar, the two submitted their information to see if they qualified for the program. “Our experience with DC Open Doors was very seamless, we did not have any delays,” said Dulin.
Scott, a native Washingtonian, said they “wanted to buy In D.C. because we knew the property value and what a great investment it would be in a wonderful place to have our family legacy.” Though Dulin didn’t move to the District until 2014, she said she knew since college that she wanted to call Washington, D.C. home.
The couple also took advantage of DCHFA’s Housing Investment Platform (HIP) program, which provides first-time homebuyers with financial assistance grants to purchase newly built homes.
“Through DC Open Doors and HPAP, I was able to receive the maximum allowed $80,000 plus $4,000 for the closing cost and a really good interest rate that is really hard to get.”
Elisabete Gaffney’s journey to homeownership accelerated after attending one of the DC Open Doors bimonthly Homebuyers’ Informational Sessions. It was here that she first discovered the HPAP and DC Open Doors program. Gaffney was able to receive great interest rates without being in the top tier of credit scores, which allowed her homebuying process to be much smoother than originally anticipated. “Through DC Open Doors and HPAP, I was able to receive the maximum allowed $80,000 plus $4,000 for the closing cost and a really good interest rate that is really hard to get,” said Gaffney. She also appreciated how programs such as HPAP did not prolong her route to homeownership. It only took Gaffney 45 days to close on her dream home. “I was able to buy a single-family home, 962 square-feet with 5,000 square-feet of land because of these programs.” In June 2018, Homeownership Month, Gaffney and her two children moved from their small apartment into their family home in Ward 7.
Walker Sands purchased a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) when he bought his first home with down payment assistance from DC Open Doors in 2018.
Walker Sands purchased a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) when he bought his first home, a condo in Petworth (Ward 4) with down payment assistance from DC Open Doors in 2018.
“Open Doors helped me secure a down payment to purchase a condo in one of my favorite D.C. neighborhoods, Petworth. As a homeowner here, I feel a duty and an honor to preserve the neighborhood’s community and contribute to D.C.’s growth.”
“DC Open Doors promotes progress and preserves communities in our capital. I am so proud that this program has been kept alive because it kept my dream of homeownership alive. As a community organizer and black professional, me and many of my friends have been able to stake a claim in the District we love. Most importantly, I see Open Doors as a proponent of the middle class and socioeconomic opportunity for all. This is an invaluable opportunity to create and define your value in D.C. and in your life.”
Chelsey Kelly shares how DC Open Doors helped her to become a homeowner in Southwest, D.C.
