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Putting down roots in Washington, DC was always a part of the plan for Ms. Ewing. She moved to the District six years ago, relocating from New York City, and quickly fell in love with all that it had to offer.
Ms. Ewing first learned about the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) while working at the DC Council, but it wasn’t until she settled into her current role at a nonprofit that she decided to seriously pursue homeownership. She attended an information session and was matched with Charlene Gilchrist, an experienced Housing Counselor at ULS who helped her navigate the HPAP process from start to finish. Ms. Ewing was pre-approved just a few months later, and she credits the speedy process to Charlene’s constant support and guidance (and a little bit of luck!).
The journey wasn’t without challenges. From the beginning, Ms. Ewing was determined to work with lenders and realtors who had experience with HPAP. She wanted people who understood the ins and outs of the program so that she would know what to expect. However, in October of 2024, the HPAP model changed from a first-come, first-served system to a lottery. This was an unexpected twist for HPAP applicants and counselors alike, as they were both informed about this change at the same time. This meant that Charlene, who had spent decades guiding people through the HPAP process, had to quickly adapt to new challenges that arose with this sudden change. Despite this, Charlene remained a constant source of encouragement for Ms. Ewing; helping her keep track of the paperwork while reminding her that the process, while challenging, was also an exciting milestone in her homeownership journey. Thanks to her meticulous attention to detail, Ms. Ewing’s pre-application process was one of the fastest Charlene had seen.
Things moved very quickly once she was selected in the lottery. Ms. Ewing had found the perfect house in her ideal neighborhood, just feet away from her current residence. She fell in love after taking a tour of the house on her birthday, feeling that everything was aligning at last. Within a month of her selection, Ms. Ewing’s final underwriting was complete. Just days later she was at closing. The title company was incredibly efficient, making what could have been a stressful process feel seamless. She closed just before the holidays and ended the year with a brand-new home!
Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Ewing advises future HPAP applicants to stay as organized as possible—labeling documents, making checklists, and ensuring everything is in order. More importantly, she encourages them to lean on their housing counselors. The process can feel overwhelming, but counselors like Charlene are there to help, and reaching out for guidance can make all the difference.
Now that she is settled in, Ms. Ewing is most excited about making her new place her own. She looks forward to painting, putting up wallpaper, and creating a space that truly reflects her. She also feels incredibly lucky to have wonderful neighbors in her building, making the transition even more rewarding. Homeownership, to her, is more than just having a place to live—it’s about affirming her commitment to the District, building equity, and claiming her own little piece of the city she has grown to love.
