Reliant Credit Union is proud to share the inspiring story of one of our members who turned his dream of homeownership into reality through the Homebuyer Dream Program™ (HDP), a grant program through which first-time homebuyers can get up to $20,000 to use toward a down payment and closing costs. The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) allocates funds for the Homebuyer Dream Program to participating lenders like Reliant twice per year, and FHLBNY has just allocated an additional $120,000 to Reliant to use before November 29, 2024. With the additional funds, Reliant’s mortgage team is looking forward to helping more members achieve their homeownership dreams, as they did for David Hammond earlier this year.

With the guidance and support of Reliant’s dedicated mortgage team, Mr. Hammond successfully purchased his first home, a milestone that seemed out of reach until he accessed the support provided by the program. His journey highlights the power of community-driven financial solutions and the impact they can have on achieving life-changing goals.

Mr. Hammond, a native Rochesterian and a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, has a deep connection to the Rochester area. After spending years in the foster care system and experiencing bouts of homelessness, Mr. Hammond made it his mission to give back to the community that shaped him. He has dedicated much of his life to community initiatives, particularly in environmental restoration and neighborhood revitalization. Through the Homebuyer Dream Program TM, he was able to secure a home in a neighborhood where he had lived at an earlier point in his life. By revitalizing his property, he hopes to inspire a sense of pride, encouraging others to invest in and improve their homes, furthering his commitment to making a positive impact in the area.

“Stability and a sense of home are very important to me,” said David Hammond. “Reliant’s Homebuyer Dream Program™, and the support from the team, especially Holli, have been instrumental in helping me achieve the solidity I’ve always wanted.”

“David’s story is incredibly inspiring, and it was an honor to help him through this process,” said Holli Dowling, Mortgage Sales Manager at Reliant. “Seeing him achieve his dream of homeownership, especially in a community he’s so passionate about, is why we do what we do. The Homebuyer Dream Program™ is designed to make homeownership accessible, and David’s success is a testament to that mission.”

So far in 2024, Reliant has been allocated $580,000 and supported 30 individuals and families with grant funds through the Homebuyer Dream Program™. The program has been a great resource for many in the Greater Rochester area, offering the support and financial assistance necessary to turn the dream of owning a home into reality.

“Our goal at Reliant is to support our members in every aspect of their financial journey, and the Homebuyer Dream Program™ is a cornerstone of that effort,” said Jacquie LaVoie, Reliant’s Vice President of Mortgage and Business Lending. “This program is designed to make homeownership more accessible for first-time homebuyers, and David’s story is a perfect example of its impact. We are proud to offer a program that helps individuals lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous future in the communities they love.”

For more information on the Homebuyer Dream Program™ and eligibility guidelines, please visit www.reliantcu.com/first-time-homebuyer-resources or any of Reliant’s ten branches.