Shawquista: Building a Legacy
Born and raised in Central Ohio, Shawquista Patrick’s life was marked by challenges from an early age. Growing up in foster care and becoming a young mother, she largely relied on public assistance and tenancy, never imagining homeownership could be in her future. It was the stark reality of rising living costs and the prospect of perpetually increasing rent that shifted her perspective.
“I never really looked at owning a home because I said, you know, as long as I am a single woman, I didn’t want to be responsible for the furnace or the hot water tank or plumbing, electricity, none of that.”
The turning point came when Shawquista realized the financial drain of renting. Paying $2,200 a month for a two-bedroom apartment, she faced the daunting prospect of giving her landlord $38,000 over another year. This realization propelled her to explore homeownership. Shawquista’s path was not straightforward; as a business owner, she faced rigorous scrutiny during the mortgage application process. Despite the challenges, she persevered, attending homeownership classes and partnering with a trusted real estate agent.
Shawquista received the financial assistance to propel her over the homeownership finish line from the Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund, a Special Purpose Credit Program launched in 2023 to close Black and minority homeownership gaps through targeted down payment assistance, comprehensive housing counseling, and wrap-around supports for sustainable ownership. The Fund is administered by Homeport, a non-profit housing developer in Columbus, Ohio with 22 years of experience administering down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income households. For Shawquista, it provided the crucial financial assistance needed for closing costs, allowing her to transition into her new home without incurring debt.
“The Maude Hill Growing Ownership Fund tremendously helped me because I did not have all the monies that I needed to have for the closing costs.”
Today, Shawquista revels in the joys of her new home, particularly her beloved balcony. More importantly, she recognizes the significance of her achievement for her family’s future. “I’m very thankful and grateful to be here. And I love saying that it’s mine,” she says, emphasizing the importance of legacy and the opportunity to support her daughter through college.
Shawquista is one among many who have realized the dream of homeownership thanks to support from the Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund. NFHA is proud to support Homeport’s dedication to provide race-conscious homeownership support for Black people and communities of color. Her story underscores the importance of equitable housing opportunities and the profound difference they can make in someone’s life. Shawquista’s newfound stability not only changes her own life trajectory but also sets a new course for her family.
