ECDC IDA MEMBER MONA STRIDER STORY (FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER)

Ms. Mona Strider is just one of many success stories about the people who completed the Individual Development Account Program (IDA).  After being laid off from her job at HUD, Mona would be taken every which way only to be brought to success.  Responsible for taking care of many children, she had to find strength from somewhere to continue.  She had not worked a job for years until the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) helped her obtain section 8 housing.  CMHA informed Ms. Mona about her eligibility for home ownership through their Housing Choice Voucher program, which led her to East Columbus Development Company. Through the program, she learned financial literacy and home buyers education. She even took her granddaughter (whom she had full custody) along to stress the importance of money management.  Ms. Mona was very pleased with the information she learned and quickly applied it to her current circumstances. That same year she approached the Columbus Urban League to seek and it led her to her current job at Maryhaven.

Ms. Mona was a long time renter and was tired of renting to only take care of her landlord’s property.  She also always felt cramped in a one floor single-family and needed more living space.  She had her eye on a property right across the street from her.  It had gone for sale, and she showed interest only to be let down that the property was already in the process of being acquired.  Time had passed and she noticed the “for sale” sign returned on the same property.  This time, the house would be hers and her continued prayers would finally be paid off.  She applied her Individual Development Account as a first time home buyer, and realized a 3-bedroom home with a finished basement and fenced backyard. She did not look at any other house or consider other properties, through the power of intention, she attracted what she felt was rightfully deserved.  She moved into the home and now has plenty of room for her dog and family.  Ms. Mona has 5 children, 16 grandkids and 9 great grandchildren who are all able to look up to her and see an example of what the outcome can be when you are determined.

Ms. Mona’s hopes and determination were made possible through the sponsorships and funding of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department (CDBG), City of Columbus Department of Development and PNC Bank.