CRESCO, IA - Kelly Kammer is a woman with many titles - employee, student, and mother of two young boys. The oldest, four-year old Guy, has Cerebral Palsy.
"The older he gets, the more challenging it's going to be for us," Kelly commented.
You'd think Kelly has more than enough on her plate. But she's working to add another title to her name - homeowner.
Kelly said, "hopefully, in the next few months, I can have my credit score where I want it, and where it needs to be, and purchase the home."
She's on the final stretch of a three-year process. Two years ago, Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation built her handicap accessible home, and four others nearby. Families like Kelly's rent them for a reduced price, with the ultimate goal of buying.
NEICAC is launching the third phase of its rent-to-own program. This summer four families are moving into new homes, and construction is starting on three others.
Housing Program director Mark Kvammen explained, "we're taking people who are really striving to get ahead in life into this program."
Mark works with Kelly on a regular basis, teaching her how to build credit, and maintain her home.
Kelly's not taking any of it for granted. She said the home is providing the foundation for her family to live a more normal life.
"It's really helped us to be able to include Guy in all of our everyday activities," she told KIMT News 3.
Kelly can easily wheel Guy everywhere on the first floor. There's room for his equipment. And thanks to NEICAC, Kelly can work enough to make the payments, and still have time for her kids and her education.
She added, "this is a beautiful home, and there's no way without this program I would ever be able to afford a handicap accessible house."
