Spokane family receives keys to first home through nonprofit program

SPOKANE, Wash — Amanda Cole and her two sons received the keys to their new home on Wednesday, made possible through the help of a local nonprofit.

Homeownership is becoming increasingly more difficult to attain as housing costs continue to skyrocket around the country.

According to the Washington Center for Housing Studies, 64% of Spokane families cannot afford to purchase a home.

Amanda Cole and her family worked with ‘First Story,’ an organization that helps middle-income families afford their first home.

“It’s super exciting and super comforting. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” Cole said. “I didn’t believe it at first.”

So far, First Story has helped 123 families achieve homeownership by offering unique financing arrangements that eliminate traditional barriers to home buying.

“We’re really creating a beautiful partnership where our middle-income families can buy a beautiful Hayden home with a zero down, zero interest, 30-year loan,” said Claire Duncan from First Story.

Duncan said the program has helped people from various walks of life.

“They might be our police officers our educators, nurses, or social service workers,” she said. “They have a nice income, but not enough to own a home.”

For Cole, homeownership offers more than just financial security. The new home provides her family with space and privacy they previously lacked. For years, her sons had no yard to play in.

“We’ve just lived on a busy street for the last 12 years. No yard. So, they were playing outside right on the busy street,” Cole explained.

Cole said opening the door to her new home also opens the door to a new chapter for her family.

“Just being able to have a yard. And it’s ours. Being able to have barbecues in the back in a private area. Shoot, I might even get a fire pit,” Cole said.