For over 14 years, Patricia made her apartment in Little Haiti, Brooklyn, a true home. A dedicated nanny, mother, and grandmother who originally immigrated from Trinidad, Patricia built her entire life around this community. From singing in three church choirs to sharing moments with close neighbors and friends who feel like family, Brooklyn was where her heart belonged.
When the opportunity arose to transition from renting to owning her beloved co-op apartment, Patricia knew she wanted to stay right where she was. However, navigating the path to homeownership—and securing the financial support to make it possible—proved to be a complex, emotionally taxing journey.
A Son’s Support Across State Lines
Living in Florida, Patricia’s son, Sean, wanted to do everything in his power to help his mother secure her future. While he wasn’t in a position to buy a house outright, he was determined to find a way to help her stay in the neighborhood she loved.
“My mom basically told me she wasn’t leaving her apartment,” Sean recalled. “The neighborhood is perfect for her… She’s walking distance to the train, her church is close, and she has a built-in community. I didn’t want a situation where market prices pushed her out.”
Determined to make it work, Sean researched assistance programs and stepped in as his mother’s advocate, helping manage the overwhelming volume of documentation and coordinating between lenders and agencies from afar.
Partnering with Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Through a referral from their bank, Patricia and Sean connected with Matthias Howley, a housing counselor at Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
The team applied for the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides up to $100,000 (or 20% of the purchase price) for first-time home buyers. The process required extensive paperwork, precise timing, and patience. Between appraising the $315,000 co-op, locking in interest rates, and meeting rigid program deadlines, the journey took roughly eight months.
At times, the stress brought Patricia to tears, but Matthias’s calm temperament and steady guidance kept the family moving forward.
“Matthias was just the absolute right partner to manage the process,” Sean shared. “He would push us when we needed to get things done, but still be patient with us. We always felt like we had someone in our corner.”
With Matthias’s help, Patricia successfully secured $63,000 in grant funding, which covered her down payment and allocated funds toward closing costs and maintenance fees.
The Closing Day
After months of persistence, Patricia officially closed on her apartment. Matthias attended the closing in person to celebrate the milestone alongside her.
During the closing, Sean shared a heartfelt moment that captured the true spirit of their journey:
“Mom, if I could do anything, I would have bought you a house. But the second-best thing I could have done was Matthias, which is why I got you this program.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Patricia enjoys the peace of mind that comes with owning her own piece of New York City. She can decorate her apartment however she pleases, continue her choir practice, and rest easy knowing she is surrounded by a community that looks out for her.
For Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Patricia’s journey is a powerful reminder of why housing counseling matters—turning years of renting into a permanent legacy of homeownership.
EN 
ES 
AR 
ZH