Shiraye Sullivan and Jeremiah Sullivan purchased a home through Community Ventures’ Rural Rehab Program. They came to Community Ventures last year in a final effort to buy a home, having been previously denied by traditional lenders.
“We had a realtor and we had been looking for about a year with no luck. He gave us the information for Community Ventures to give them a call. Working with other lenders, we had to meet some type of qualifications – one that I wasn’t able to meet. I tried to get funding through the bank. They were going to fund the money to buy a home, but they weren’t going to help us fund the renovations we would need. With Community Ventures, they were able to complete the renovations themselves, and then help me borrow for the home without coming out of pocket for rehab expenses”, says Jeremiah Sullivan
The Sullivans learned about CV’s Rural Rehab Program, where qualifying individuals can find a home from one of the rural counties designated for the program. Community Ventures will purchase the home, rehab it with improvements and upgrades as needed based on the buyers affordability and the needs of the property. Upgrade examples may include: roofing, insulation, windows, doors, electrical systems, energy efficient heating and air conditioning, appliances, hot water heaters, plumbing, drywall repairs, painting, sealing windows and doors, carpeting, vinyl, outside damange repairs, soffits,concrete, etc. While making these renovations, the buyers may also be able to add new custom finishes to the home. At the end of this process, the newly improved home is sold to the buyer. This program wouldn’t be possible without the Kentucky Housing Corporation. KHC designates organizations like Community Ventures as Community Housing Development Organizations, which allows those organizations to offer the Rural Rehab Program to their clients.
Community Ventures worked with the Sullivan family during the process to improve their financial strength. While the process was not easy, the Sullivans endured, and were able to meet the financial qualifications for a loan. “You have to be patient, but it’s well worth being patient. When the rehab process is completed, and you walk into the home, its’s well worth the time and money and the effort.”
Community Ventures is proud to be a part of the Sullivan’s reaching their goal. But we credit them for their determination above all else, because they saw the value of home ownership and were committed to realizing this dream. “The thought of knowing that I’m going to rent for the rest of your life…why not be a homeowner for the rest of your life?”
Today, the Sullivan’s have moved in and started to get settled into their new space. After seeing the fruits of their labor, they are feeling even more ambitious these days, as they now have plans to start a business of their own. But for now, they continue to celebrate this milestone achievement in their lives. “It’s a huge accomplishment for us as African-Americans, having our own home, being homeowners – that’s a big deal because a lot of people in our community feel like they can’t be homeowners. Through Community Ventures, they made our dream come true.”
Interested in learning about our Rural Rehab Program? Contact magnew@cvky.org
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