The City, Community and Habitat for Humanity Launch a Home Ownership Course for Bahama Village Residents
On January 5, 2022, Community Members of Bahama Village, the City of Key West and Habitat for Humanity will launch a six-week home ownership course for Bahama Village residents. The course will provide families with tools and resources to help them in the process of owning a home.
The course will cover a topic each week to help participants prepare for the possibility of owning a home. Topics include: How mortgages work; credit building; preparing a budget; home buying assistance; and closing on a home. Professional bankers and realtors from the community are volunteering their time to teach the class. Speakers include Suzanne Moore, Daunte Aguilar, Gisselle Garcia, Maggie Sayer, Marie Brouillette and Jimmy Lane.
The idea for the course came from several workshops on affordable housing the city organized in the Spring and Summer of 2021 with Bahama Village community members. The workshops were organized at the request of City Manager Patti McLauchlin. Many residents expressed the desire for the project to include home ownership opportunities for working families.
“So many of those who came before us struggled to obtain homes to leave a legacy,” says Bahama Village Community member Lakay Barnett. “Home ownership helps to build generational wealth. We have to think about what we want to leave our children.”
Barnett, along with two other Bahama Village community activists, Kawana Staffney and Terrance Lopez, volunteered their time to work with city staff to develop the list of courses and organize attendees. The class is capped at 20 people and is already full, however, if it is a success, Habitat for Humanity and the city hope to repeat the course. Anyone interested in the next offering should email: [email protected]<ma
“We needed to really listen to the Bahama Village community,” says City Manager Patti McLauchlin. “Listening meant that we not only heard, but that we did something about it. I’m delighted that we are offering this course, and I believe it will help us keep our Bahama Village families in Key West.”
The course coincides with the recent award of the 3.2 acres affordable housing development to AH Monroe. The nonprofit organization has been working with the community since receiving the contract to hear and understand their needs. They have already increased the number of home ownership units from 16 in the original proposal to 28.
The home ownership course is timed to help families begin thinking about purchasing homes on the 3.2 acres.
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I am sorely disappointed to read that a six week course on Home Ownership would be offered only to Bahama Village residents of Key West. That is not fair, nor is it really legal. There are many working, responsible residents of Key West who are struggling and trying to remain in Key West under the present high costs of living here. The fast depletion of affordable housing for our responsible working adults makes our workforce particular at risk. Adults with valuable skills and jobs cannot afford convenient single income rentals. However, they may qualify for home ownership, carrying a mortgage. Investing in the City they love would be a win/win. ,These people need the knowledge and advice to go about the process of home ownership. Fear of rejection, and lack of confidence and knowledge stop many from moving forward. . If there is to be a supply of available housing in Bahama Village, then it must be fairly available to all that qualify under fair rules of ownership. Teaching a course on Home Ownership should be available to all citizens of Key West, non discriminatory. Key West City Council must move ahead responsibly and fairly on issues of Affordable Housing.