Case Study: Compton - Improving Lives

Our conviction for building sustainable, affordable communities has been strengthened by the changed lives of our clients who have achieved their dream of home ownership.

Making Home Ownership a Reality

Our first municipal partnership was formed in late 2004 with the City of Compton, where we purchased unused, debrisridden lots, transformed them into beautifully-landscaped, 1,500 square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath homes and made ownership possible for two working families-in-need.

Since establishing our partnership with the City of Compton, we developed and sold single-family dwellings to one homecare worker and one health educator, both long-time residents of the community. With the City's assistance, LTCHC undertook the following actions in connection with the development and sale of these homes:

• Identified and evaluated suitable lots for housing construction
• Purchased the lots from the City of Compton and held title to the property
• Secured financing to prepare the properties for development
• Secured financing for the construction of the family dwellings and held title to completed dwellings
• Assisted union members in the process of purchasing their homes by helping them complete the necessary third-party lender applications to obtain financing
• Helped homeowners gain $100,000 grants to assist with the purchase of their first homes through the City's First-Time Home Buyers Program
• Partnered with Housing Alternatives, Inc. to develop the parcels. Specifically, Housing Alternatives undertook and contracted for the construction of the turn-key manufactured homes for the two lots, which included the home, garage, landscaping, appliances and all fees for permits and licenses.

We proudly completed construction of these two homes in less than four months. The success of LTCHC's partnership with the City of Compton and Housing Alternatives, Inc. led us to enter into an exclusive agreement with the City of Compton and Forte Resources to begin construction of a 28-unit condominium.

'I'm so grateful the LTCHC joined our community in bringing affordable housing to our residents. They are beautifying our streets, improving our economy and helping to preserve and stabilize our communities. Partnering with the LTCHC was one of the best decisions our city has made to care for our residents and to take a stand for equitable, quality housing in our neighborhoods."

Joint statement by City of Compton offi cials and staff:
Mayor Eric J. Perrodin
Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun
Councilwoman Lillie Dobson
Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux
Councilman Isadore Hall, III

Meet first-time homeowner Pheobe Macon
Gaining Peace of Mind

Waking around her new home, Pheobe Macon appears as a woman at ease. But for Macon, this wasn't always the case. Reaching up toward her vaulted ceilings, she grasps at the space around her and recalls the 'cramped corners' of her old apartment.

"When you live in an apartment, you have to give up a piece of yourself in order to cope with the lack of privacy that is part of close, crowded living," Macon explains. Nights at her former apartment were restless for both herself and her 21-year-old son, Reginal, who lives with her, she says. "We would be disturbed night and day by loud music, parties, and sometimes neighbors fighting."

As a single mother for 16 years, Macon has taken a long road to home ownership. Employed for years in nursing homes and as a homecare provider, Macon worked her way through college and is now a health educator for L.A. County.

The determination for a better life that pushed her through school and single motherhood, also helped her to believe home ownership would one day be possible, but when she finally stepped out into the real estate market, she found that housing options were slim and far between.

A life-long resident of Compton, Macon was determined to stay in the community she loves, but "the houses I looked at were either too expensive, or as small as my apartment and old, worn down, requiring too much work," she recalls. "I didn't know how I would ever afford a decent home."

Finally, A Home

That is until her 48th birthday when she received the keys to her brand-new 1,500 square-foot home that boasts 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a spacious kitchen, a living room, a dining room, new appliances and beautiful landscaping.

Thanks to the LTCHC, Macon and her son have now found an affordable house, where they can finally enjoy peace of mind, With the help of a $100,000 grant acquired through the LTCHC, Macon has been able to stay in the community she loves.

"In our new house, we have better health and energy because we can sleep better and eat better," Macon says of some of the rewards of home ownership. Today, Macon spends much of her time cooking in her kitchen that includes a new stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. "We've gone from having to rely on fast food to now enjoying the ability to have homecooked, nutritious meals," she says.

"Getting appliances like the new dishwasher and washing machine with this house was a miracle in itself... anything to make our lives easier as working moms," she says. "As a single parent, it's easy to run yourself down trying to keep your family supplied with everything they need.

"So when something better is made available to you, you can finally take a deep breath. I think in my apartment, I was just gasping for air. Now I can truly exhale, relax and feel at home."