Meet Our Client: Vanessa Jackson
In the early 2000’s, Vanessa Jackson was living in Atlanta, with a good job and a home of her own. But in 2012, as the U.S. economy struggled to recover from the Great Recession, Vanessa was also struggling. She lost her job, and the work she did find wasn’t lucrative enough to pay her mortgage, so she used funds from her 401k. Even that wasn’t enough – she lost her home.
“My cousin in Cleveland offered me a place to live in the duplex her parents had left to her,” says Vanessa. “It was a bad time for me. My sister had died a year earlier, and my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I had no money and no car, and a dog that needed veterinary care. I had nowhere else to go.”
After several years, Vanessa was ready for a move. However, senior apartment buildings had long waiting lists, and the market rates for other apartments were very high.
Fortunately for Vanessa, through her work, she knew Michael Billnitzer, SHRM-SCP, vice president of housing and financial wellness at Benjamin Rose. He told her about the HUD-approved homebuyer education class at Benjamin Rose.
After completing the class and researching recommended banks and realtors, Vanessa qualified for Huntington Bank’s Home for Good program that allows prospective homeowners to use expanded qualification options to achieve the dream of home ownership. A Huntington Bank mortgage loan officer worked with her to find the best mortgage product for her needs and affordability.
In January 2025, Vanessa began working with Jayme Kostelnik, a realtor with The Golden Group, Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan. In early February, she saw a listing for a brick bungalow in the Lee Harvard community. The home was exactly what she was looking for, and her offer was accepted. Because Vanessa was prequalified for a loan, the sale moved quickly, and she closed on her new home on March 3.
“Vanessa was very professional and straightforward with everything related to buying her home. Her main concern was being financially smart and ensuring the purchase was affordable,” says Aisha Ibrahim, HUD certified housing counselor and home ownership manager at Benjamin Rose.
Vanessa, now age 70, is thrilled to again have a home of her own. She credits the knowledge she gained through Benjamin Rose with giving her the confidence to move forward.
“I didn’t think I’d ever recover, but you’re never to old to start over,” she says. “If you have the strength and the will, and the Lord is on your side, you can do it.”
Learn More About Housing & Homeownership
To empower choice and independence, Benjamin Rose offers supportive housing for low-income seniors. We also have a range of programs and services that are open to all ages to encourage housing stability at every life stage. Discover how we can help you work towards a better future today!
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