Keenya and La'Ron started thinking about buying a home soon after their first son was born. When the twins arrived a few years later, the apartment started to feel a little small.

Keenya was working in a dentist's office when a patient told her about the Portland Housing Center (PHC). She decided to check it out and took the Financial Fitness classes while Larson was at work.

The one-on-one meetings with the financial counselor were especially helpful. The counselor taught them about credit scores and how to improve them. La'Ron had avoided credit and didn't have a score. He had to build one from scratch. They worked hard and they quickly saw an improvement.

PHC also taught them about the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. For three years, La'Ron and Keenya set aside money each month to build enough savings to help them make a down payment. They were ready to buy in time to take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit, but they missed it by just three weeks because the first house they bid on didn't work out. By the time they found another house, it was just a little too late.

During the homebuying process, they often felt discouraged. The process was stressful and La'Ron said that at times he wasn't really sure it was worth it. Their lender kept contacting them and encouraging them to keep tying and PHC was there to answer all of their questions. Knowing that PHC would review any loan before they signed it, they felt confident that they could trust their lender and that they would not get trapped into something they couldn't afford - as so many other people had just a few years ago.

The house they found was a hidden treasure located not too far from the apartment they were renting. It was owned by a bank that wanted to sell quickly. The bank put the house on the market at a discounted price and the Kings put a bid on it that same day. The next day, the bank received four more offers, but it had already accepted Keenya and La'Ron's bid.

La'Ron says, "this house was meant for us," and Keenya points out that the address matches their kids' birthdays. It was a big plus that the kids didn't have to change schools. Some other students from their class live on the same street and it is nice that they already have friends close by.

La'Ron is proud to be the first person in his family to own a home. He wants to pay down the mortgage and leave it to his kids someday. Keenya appreciated the stability and already feels like she has put down some roots. She has already told several people about the PHC and has encouraged them to find their own castles.