Housing Department Success Stories
| Judy Luke's Success Story |
 Judy Luke is single parent of 3 teenagers. She has worked hard in the last few years to obtain her licensure as a Hearing Specialist so she could better provide for her children. Despite many hurdles with family struggles, hurricanes, and financial challenges, Judy worked hard to get ahead. Her dream has been to own her own home and she did not think it was possible until she heard about the SHIP program. After a long search, especially with the inflated home prices, she finally found a place for herself and her children! At the closing for her house she stated The St. Lucie County "SHIP program has made a dream come true. I cannot thank you enough and words cannot express how grateful I am." |
| Emmanuel & Brenda Macias's Success Story |
 Emmanuel and Brenda Macias are a young married couple. Despite both being employed in good jobs, they have found it difficult to save enough money to purchase a home. The have been living with their parents for the last two years to save money. Despite their progress with saving, housing prices increased more quickly than they could increase their earnings or their savings. They found out about the SHIP program, attended the Consumer Credit Counseling Homebuyer's Workshop and worked hard to learn about loans, credit, budgeting, and all the other components that are critical to being first time homebuyers. Brenda and Emmanuel expressed their appreciation of the program, stating, "They helped us every step of the way. This is a program that has helped many people, and we hope that it can continue. There is nothing better than having your "Home Sweet Home. Thank you St. Lucie County SHIP for everything!" |
| Nathan & Jennifer Evans's Success Story |
 Nathan and Jennifer and their 2 year old daughter Sarah have been living with parents as they have not been able to find a house to purchase that would fit within their budget. Nathan works in management of a local grocery store and Jennifer works in customer service. Yet even with being hard workers and being promoted, their salaries have not increased at the same rate of home prices. They never thought that with the current cost of homes that they would be able to have one of their own. Then they found out about the SHIP program and applied. They had to wait several months to be moved off the waiting list and into active housing search. They were patient and even after a home they were looking at was damaged by Wilma, they kept being optimistic. They eventually found a home and it was theirs as of March 6, 2006 - "our very first house!" Nathan & Jenn thanked the county SHIP program for wanting "us to move into a safe house for us and our little girl. We appreciate this program so much." |
| Sheila Graham's Success Story |
 Sheila Graham is the mother of 5 children and with her limited income, she never anticipated being able to own a home for her family. Through the combined efforts of St. Lucie County Habitat, the St. Lucie County Community Services - Housing Department, and many others she not only has a home, but she has a newly constructed home! Sheila is sitting down in this picture as she was recovering from knee surgery on the date of the ground breaking. Several of her children were present for this special event and are thrilled that they will have a home that can actually hold them all. The entire family is thrilled with the support the community has provided to put them into a new home. Commissioner Smith was even there to help her celebrate the day! |
| Shasta Thomason's Success Story |
 Shasta did everything right. In early 2004, she tapped into community resources through the USDA Rural Development grant, purchased a lot, and found a contractor to help her build a new home. As a single parent with a 5 year old, Shasta couldn't wait to have her dream come true. Then the nightmare began. The contractor took her money and ran. She could find no one who could build her the house at the same price she had planned on, especially after the hurricanes of 2004. Then Shasta found St. Lucie County SHIP! With the support from them and from an area developer who specializes in workforce housing, her house was built in under 4 months. Shasta says in a thank you letter to SLC SHIP, I never "thought it possible to own my own home. Thank you for helping to make it happen." |
| Darren Gibson's Success Story |
 Darren Gibson is a single father who works as an electrician to support his children. He has always had the dream of having a home of their own. Despite many challenges, Darren was able to not only purchase a home, but build a new one on a lot originally owned by his family. It is only through SHIP assistance that he was able to make this happen. "Thank you St. Lucie County SHIP for making my dreams become reality. |
| Gloria Zuniga's Success Story |
 One of our satisfied Housing Department applicants is County employee, Gloria Zuniga, who works in the Clerk of Courts office. Gloria had major water damage from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. The entire interior of her home needed major repairs to bring it back to a safe and healthy place. Water damaged her living room, laundry room, kitchen, bedrooms, and garage. The St. Lucie County Community Services - Housing Department was able to assist her by providing funds and licensed contractors to complete repairs. Her home is now back, better than new. Gloria states SLC SHIP has "helped me and my family more than I can express. I could never have had the repairs done that were needed. Thank you SHIP!" |
| Agustin & Maria's Success Story |
 Agustin and Maria have been renters for their entire lives. With two children, they have always hoped to have a home with a yard and a place for them to play. They had been told by friends and family that they would never be able to afford to own one of their own. After applying for the SHIP program, they were able to obtain assistance and have moved in to their very own 3 bedroom home. "Thank you so much for making this possible." |
| Allison & Jeremy Ledlow's Success Story |
 Jeremy and Allison Ledlow have wanted to own their own home for years. They are native Floridians and have a 7 year old son. Allison works full time as a bank teller, and Jeremy is a facilities technician for a local research organization. Despite having steady work and saving diligently for a down payment, their income could not keep up with their goal to buy a home. The three have lived together in a small apartment for the last five years. Their son has not had a yard to play in or get the puppy that he has always wanted. The Ledlow's said SLC SHIP "was a tremendous help." Thank you for making "this nearly lost dream become a reality." |
| Ronna Silvay's Success Story |
 Ronna Silvay is a single parent who has worked hard to overcome many challenges in her life. She has hoped to get a home that would allow her daughter to get a dog and she is thrilled to finally have it. In her letter to SLC SHIP, she states "To be a homeowner is my biggest dream, and now I am one! My experience with the SHIP program has been truly an awesome experience." |
| Sandrine Taylor's Success Story |
 Ms. Taylor is a single parent of three, including one son who suffers with autism. She has worked hard to maintain a good credit rating and to save money, where she could, to purchase a home for her family. As a part of the workforce, she has been set back with the increase in home prices and the relatively small increase in wages. SHIP was able to provide her with down payment assistance to purchase a home. “This program is a blessing to people who are trying to help themselves, who are hard working law abiding citizens. [SHIP] has been a life saver to me and my three children. Thank you!” |
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To Contact the St. Lucie County Community Services Housing Department: | ||||
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