DREAM HOUSING GRANT PROGRAM

A NEW ADDITION IN OUR MISSION TO PROTECT AND EMPOWER

GOAL

The goal of the Dream Housing Grant program is to create a more holistic program that provides financial assistance and literacy knowledge. These tools will help participants utilize these skills wisely and prevent future housing struggles.

During the program's year, housing burdened families will receive supplemental rental assistance, up to $500 a month for a year, to move families toward greater financial stability or homeownership.

Participants will be paired with a mentor who will walk with them and be a support system throughout the program. In addition, the program director will assist enrollment into a financial planning program, either United Way's Financial Empowerment Center or Thrivent's Money Canvas, providing the following:

  • Help create a budget.

  • Identify financial areas of need such as debt or credit.

  • Build a timeline of financial benchmarks to meet personal financial goals, such as buying a home or paying off large sums of debt.

Once they successfully achieve program benchmarks, participants then qualify for a down payment assistance program. 

PROGRAM’S SUCCESS

In March 2022, we launched the pilot year of the Dream Housing Grant program. Two out of the four enrollees in the pilot phase were approved to purchase a home by June. With the success of the initial phase, we look to enroll our next cohort of applicants in January 2023.

READ DANNA'S STORY HERE

$88,964 has been raised so far

To complete a full-year cycle of this program, we are projecting a need from $35,000 to $65,000, depending on the number of participants in the program. $88,964 has been raised so far for the Dream Housing Grant Program, allowing us to execute this pilot year successfully.

Small steps lead to big leaps:

  • Credit score: every participant increased their credit score at LEAST 30 points in the past year; one participant increased it over 70 points!

  • Savings/emergency: Over $20,000 saved!!

  • Debt repayment: Over $12K paid off: 3 participants completely debt free! One only has 1 credit card left and another cut her debt in half!!

WANT TO HELP MAKE
A DIFFERENCE?

You can support the Housing Fund program by selecting a level below to give financially each
month. By signing up to support this program,
you are committing to changing our community’s lives through pre-set monthly giving.

  • FOUNDATION LEVEL

    $100/MONTH

    Contribute to monthly cost of childcare during monthly training meetings

  • ENTRY LEVEL

    $250/MONTH

    Supply dinner for the cohorts and their mentors during monthly training meetings

  • ROOF TOP LEVEL

    $500/MONTH

    One month rental stipend for Housing Grant Participants

  • KEY LEVEL

    $ OF SALES

    Commit to donating a % of your sales back to the Housing Fund

**to set up a key level sponsorship please email Haley Trusler at haley@dreamstreetstn.com

DREAM STREETS HOUSING COALITION

As part of our mission to protect and empower, we formed the Dream Streets Housing Coalition of experts that includes local business owners and construction industry leaders appointed by our board. This team supports the Dream Housing Grant Program.

CURRENT MEMBERS

  • Derrick Morgan: Community investor with KNGDM Investment Group

  • TJ Fletcher: Dream Streets Executive Director

  • Haley Trusler: Dream Streets Housing Director

  • Justine Bobinger: business owner and investor

  • Leslie Maclellan: Founder, Maclellan Law PLLC

  • Ryan Bult: Low-income housing property owner and potential investor

  • Jason Picanzo: West Nashville Precinct Community Engagement Team Seargent; Metro Nashville Police Department

For more information on this program and how to support this fund financially, please contact Haley Trusler, Dream Streets Housing Director by completing the form below.