Meet Our Families

 


KIP AND KATHY VAUGHN

Nine years ago, Kip and Kathy Vaughn were living in a tiny home in Albuquerque when three of their grandchildren came to live with them.

“We were bursting at the seams,” Kathy said. “And we weren’t in a safe place – it wasn’t unusual to hear gunfire. I couldn’t let the kids run and play.”

With the help of MFA homeownership programs, Kip and Kathy were able to buy a beautiful home in the Sawmill Community of Arbolera de Vida. The children now have rooms of their own and spend evenings playing outside.

“This home was God’s gift to us,” Kathy said. “We’re in a good community where we all watch out for each other. Now, we have a place we can raise a family.”


TERESA STARR

For years, Teresa Starr was a stay-at-home wife and mother. But when she became a single woman four years ago, she knew it was time for some big changes. Teresa wanted to grow her part-time jewelry-making hobby into a profitable business. She wanted to pursue her passion for performing Son Jarocho music. And she wanted to find the perfect place to live that would support and nurture her while she shaped her new life.

The Sawmill Lofts, an affordable rental community financed by MFA, was exactly what Teresa was looking for. Designed for artists, the Lofts provides workspace, security and a sense of community for Teresa.

“I was able to move somewhere wonderful that I could afford while I built my business,” Teresa said. “Living here gave me the chance to follow my heart.”


Dale Klein-Kennedy

More than 900 women and children come to S.A.F.E. House in Albuquerque every year to escape domestic violence. Not only do they find refuge at S.A.F.E House, but the domestic violence survivors who go there are given health care, counseling, transitional living assistance and financial literacy training. S.A.F.E House Clinical Services Director Dale Klein-Kennedy, pictured here, and Executive Director Michele Fuller say they are grateful for the MFA funding that helps them keep the doors open.

“If we don’t interrupt the cycle of domestic violence, the children who witness it will become the next generation of abusers and the abused,” Michelle said. “MFA helps make it possible to provide a safe shelter and the services necessary to help break that cycle.”


Claudia Clements

After working for years as a mortgage banker, Claudia Clements still gets excited when she helps someone get a home using an MFA product.

“I am thankful to God for what MFA has to offer,” she said. “It amazes me how much these programs help and how many people they help. The majority of these people wouldn’t be able to buy a home without it.”

Claudia says MFA loans don’t take any longer to process than FHA loans. Even loan processors in other states comment on how easy New Mexico’s bond loan programs are to use, she said.

“The people at MFA are wonderful, and they really know what they’re doing,” Claudia said. “I always know I can call if I have a question. They make it so simple!”
 


Dennis and Monica Anderson

After years of renting, the Andersons wanted a home to call their own. A yard to plant trees in. A wall to hang school pictures on. A doorway to make notches on as the children grew. But with their expanding family – four children and counting – saving for a down payment was almost impossible.

Luckily, the Andersons heard that MFA has help for first-time homebuyers. Through MFA’s down payment assistance program and low-interest mortgage loan, the Anderson’s dream of owning a home came true. They have a house payment they can afford and stable housing for years to come.

“We would have spent many years trying to come up with a down payment, especially with the new babies,” Monica said. “But now we have a place where our children can build memories.”

The MFA's Homeownership Department offers a number of programs to assist low to moderate income families in purchasing a home.  We have programs for you with below-market rates and closing cost assistance to help bring you closer to your dream of owning a home.

 


Roderick and Clifshaque Stokes

Roderick and Clifshaque were thrilled when they bought their new home a few months ago. But, since they are one of the first members of their families to ever own a home, the two grew up in rented homes and apartments. That experience is part of what makes Roderick so committed to his job as an asset management specialist at MFA. He spends his days making sure New Mexico renters have a safe, affordable, well-maintained place to call home.

“We work to ensure that residents have a decent place to live,” Roderick said. “Also, we strive to create an environment that allows residents to contact us if their living conditions aren’t up to standards. I enjoy helping make the MFA vision of providing quality, affordable housing a reality.”
 


Christopher Cates

The Sawmill Lofts were born from a unique partnership between the community and MFA. Located in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town, the 60-unit, live-work apartment complex was created for artist residents and includes a common artists’ workroom, performance space and a park.

Christopher Cates, an Indian jewelry designer, lives in the Sawmill Lofts. He also helped design the park where his children love to play. With its handicap-friendly design, Christopher says the Lofts are the perfect place for him and his children to live.

“I love the openness of the Lofts and the community aspect of it,” Christopher said. “I’ve never lived in an apartment before, but this has been a refreshing change. The Lofts have everything I was looking for in a home.”
 

Cindy Dominguez

Although most of us sleep warmly every night, there are many New Mexico families that don’t. But MFA, through its partnerships with four non-profit organizations across the state, is working hard to change that. These partners use MFA funding to weatherize hundreds of homes every year, calking windows, spraying attic insulation and replacing furnaces.

Cindy Dominguez, 70, recently had her adobe home in Bernalillo weatherized. In addition to being warm for the first time in many years, Cindy should see her energy expenses drop from almost 10 percent of her fixed income to 3.2 percent.

“I’ve been so happy,” Cindy said. “My friends come over and tell me how warm it is. I’ve had so many people call and ask how they can get help, too.”