10 Years, 143 First-Time Homebuyers

They are daughters and sons, and moms and dads shepherding large multi-generational families. And because of a now 10-year old program run by their employer, they’re all homeowners.

Yale-New Haven Hospital Wednesday celebrated 10 years of helping them become homeowners through its H.O.M.E. [Home Ownership Made Easy] program.

Sixteen of the 143 people who have bought homes thanks to the program were on hand to celebrate what for many was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

For Geraldine Boone, the first YNHH employee from the Saint Raphael campus to purchase a home through the program, that meant a having space for her 12-year-old son who loves music to bang on his drums without their neighbors coming by to ask that they keep it down. The wife and mother of three has worked at the Saint Raphael campus for seven years, since before Yale-New Haven took it over.

“We’re so happy with our home,” she said. ​“My son can be downstairs banging and making as much racket as he wants, and we’re upstairs and nobody is coming to bang on the door asking us to keep it down.” 

The program was started in July 2006 by offering first-time homebuyers up to $10,000 in forgivable five-year loans and other incentives. The program was modeled on a similar successful program at Yale University.

“We are now 143 homes later,” said Kevin Myatt, hospital senior vice-president and chief human resource officer. ” By the end of this year that number is going to be 147.”

In the 10 years, the program has only seen three forfeitures, Myatt said. Meanwhile, the program has helped strengthen city neighborhoods.

Under the program, employees who purchase a home in the Hill, Dwight, West River or City Point, which are adjacent to YNHH’s cmapuses, are eligible for additional monthly mortgage subsidies for the first two years.

“The essence of a healthy community is a community that is anchored by housing,” said YNHH President Richard D’Aquila . ​“I look forward to more and more of this kind of contribution to our community.”

Key Bank has taken over a former partner with the program, First Niagara. Philip Swetz, a community business development vice president at Key Bank, indicated that change will not alter the commitment to the H.O.M.E. program.

“What an incredible opportunity to work for an organization that really supports homeownership more than just talking about it,” he said. ​“They actually help you deliver and get to the finish line.

“Without your help,” Swetz said of the hospital, ​“there are a lot of possibilities that never would have happened.”

Larry Graham, who works in food nutrition and been with the hospital for 20 years, said that was certainly true for him.

“Without this program, without being a part of Yale-New Haven Hospital, I’d probably still be renting,” he said. Because of the program, he’s been a homeowner for almost 10 years. ​“I’m grateful and thankful to be in my house for the time I’ve been.”

Philip Williams, who works in diagnostic imaging and radiology and has been with the hospital for 32 years, echoed Graham. He said it had always been his desire to own a home, but it just never seemed like it was possible until he entered the home program. But because of the program, the father of six was able to move his family into a four-bedroom home.

“We have a huge yard, but when it comes to mowing, I’m glad to do it, because I’m mowing for myself,” he said. ​“When it comes to snow shoveling, I’m glad to do it because I’m shoveling my own snow. It’s a great big difference when you own your home instead of renting.”

Homeowner Robynne Moran put it all into perspective by noting three characteristics of homeowners: They believe in the future, they’re committed, and they’re risk-takers.

“Whatever comes our way, the buck stops here,” she said. ​“It is my risk, it was my choice, it is my home to love and to protect. I know sometimes the challenges take our breath away. but I hope everyone is doing well and that everyone agrees with me that most of the time it’s a great feeling to say, ​‘This is mine, I love it.’”