Client Spotlight:Russhawn Godwin

To celebrate Home Ownership Month, we sat down with our recent client, Russhawn Godwin, who just bought her first home with assistance from Manna and its partners. Ms. Godwin’s first loan was with Citizen’s Bank, second on the mortgage was HPAP, and she received a grant from Homes by CFE to close the transaction. According to Ms. Godwin, the team of lenders at Citizen’s Bank “knew what to ask, when to ask it, and how to get things done to get me ready to buy when it didn’t look like I would get there.” Ms. Godwin’s closing is an example of lenders and agencies coming together to make the dream of homeownership a reality and bring a mortgage loan to close. 

In addition to bringing partners together to close the loan, Manna's Home Ownership Center helped prepare Ms. Godwin for every step of the process. She started with the DC Home Purchase Assistance Program course offered at Manna's Home Ownership Center and worked with our team to find the right house within her budget. She explains, “What really helped me with my process was making sure I had my financial goals in order before starting the prequalification process. My advice to any first-time homebuyer is to take an honest look at your financial situation.” Ms. Godwin credits Thomas Caviness (TC), The Director of Manna’s Home Ownership Center for helping her to the finish line. She explains, “I called TC and just really unloaded on him because I was feeling overwhelmed. TC told me he was going to see me through this process, and he was there from day one to closing day.”

Ms. Godwin closed on her home during Home Ownership Month, and we are thrilled to have been a part of her journey.

During the last week of Home Ownership Month, JP Morgan Chase announced an investment of $7.65 million to support nonprofits working to improve affordability and stability for households of color in Washington D.C. Manna, Inc is the recipient of a portion of these funds. Our President and CEO Sasha-Gaye Angus spoke about our work to narrow the homeownership gap during the event's affordable housing panel moderated by Mark O’Donovan, CEO of Chase Home Lending. During the panel Sasha shared that,

“History has shown us that the most effective tool for building assets and creating intergenerational wealth has been homeownership. With assistance from JPMorgan Chase, Manna will address racial equity by implementing supply-based strategies in the DC region through property acquisition and rehab, continue its advocacy for homeownership investments, and conduct an updated impact study exploring actual results and socio-economic outcomes experienced by its buyers."

It was an honor to be amongst public partners, business leaders, and local non-profits who are committed to expanding affordable housing in the region.

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Ward 8 Home Buyer Club starting in July! The Home Buyer Club is a joint partnership between Manna, Inc and 11th Street Bridge Park. Join us on the last Saturday of every month at the THEARC community room from 10am-12pm. We will be providing refreshments, childcare, and the opportunity to connect and learn from various homebuying educators and speakers. Details can be found here. We look forward to welcoming you back to in person classes. The Ward 8 Home Buyer Club welcomes residents from all wards.

Our work in Washington DC and Prince George's County is made possible with your generous support.