Maria Santiago has been involved with inCOMMON since 2019. During that time, she obtained her US Citizenship through participation in inCOMMON’s citizenship class, improved her English-language skills through ESL, became friends with neighbors by attending monthly neighborhood meals, and received assistance with applications for expanding her daycare business through our one-on-one support resources. In 2024, she heard about inCOMMON Housing, and is one of our most energetic inquirers regarding the Community Land Trust, which will provide affordable, for-sale housing for neighbors. While Maria was disappointed to learn that the CLT homes will not be ready for a few years, she maintains her interest in the properties and we will support her however we can in applying for one of the homes.
Maria’s story shows the strength of our strategy. Neighbors need to become US citizens, communicate in English, and improve their employment and economic situations. But they also need to be connected to other neighbors and find relational support and opportunities to share their skills and experiences with others. AND they need stable, affordable places to live IN the neighborhood so that they can maintain the success and connections that they have built, not only for themselves, but for the benefit of their neighborhood. Even if Maria could find a homeownership opportunity elsewhere, having her remain in and connected to Park Avenue is beneficial for her own success, and also keeps a local leader in our area to continue the work for the next generation.