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Safe Haven Found: A Family’s Journey to Security and Success

Six gunshots pierce the calm of a balmy South Florida evening, and then the unthinkable happens: a stray bullet tears through Joslyn’s Miami home, striking her eldest daughter as she sits inside, two siblings playing on the floor nearby. Fear tightens into a knot in Joslyn’s stomach as she drops everything she’s doing in the kitchen and races to her daughter’s side. This wasn’t the life Joslyn envisioned when she moved to South Florida in 2010.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Joslyn had moved to Florida with her kids and then-husband, drawn by palm trees, sunshine and hopes for a better life. But the reality fell short. The drive-by shooting was the tipping point. It became painfully clear—they needed a safe haven, a place where her children could grow up without the fear of violence.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Joslyn’s story caught the attention of the South Florida Community Land Trust. They reached out, offering a lifeline towards a secure and affordable home. Through the CLT program, Joslyn participated in financial literacy workshops and soon found herself settling into a beautiful two-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex on a leafy Hallandale block with welcoming neighbors. The community provided a much-needed sense of peace.

However, Joslyn yearned for more than just security. She wanted to build a career and provide for her family. With guidance from a friend, she enrolled in a self-development program. There, she met a woman who owned a cleaning business and was looking for an assistant. Joslyn readily accepted this opportunity, learning the ropes of the business. When the owner moved away, she entrusted her clients and referrals to Joslyn. This act of trust fueled Joslyn’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Tragedy struck again in 2019. Her eldest daughter passed away in childbirth. The grief was unimaginable, but having a safe and stable home became a crucial part of her healing. She can’t imagine navigating that loss while also worrying about safety or paying rent.

Today, Joslyn lives in the duplex, and her two remaining children are now successful young adults, 21 and 18, venturing out on their own paths. Joslyn herself is a thriving entrepreneur, managing her loyal clientele and seasonal residents.

Ultimately, Joslyn’s story is more than just inspiring. It’s proof of the promise that blossoms when someone can pursue a brighter future from a foundation of stability and security.

CLT Homeowner Finds Stability, Gives Back

In 1987 Trinidad, eight-year-old Natalie lived in a small house with no indoor plumbing alongside her parents and two older brothers. Her mother, Jenifer, tirelessly worked two jobs to help make ends meet. Despite her efforts, Jenifer saw limited opportunities for her daughter’s future in Trinidad. So, in an act of sacrifice and hope, determined to build a better life, Jenifer decided to migrate to the U.S. with Natalie. Jenifer knew this meant leaving her sons temporarily, but she held onto the hope of reuniting the entire family soon.

Initially, they moved to New York but after a few harsh winters sought a more familiar climate — and relocated to Miami. Life was lonely at first, as they knew no one in their new country. Evenings were filled with the aroma of traditional Trinidadian meals – pelau, chicken souse, cow heel soup – wafting from the kitchen. Natalie watched intently as her mother cooked, absorbing not just the recipes but also the strength simmering within them.

Meanwhile, Jenifer worked as a nurse, saving every penny to build the nest egg needed to accomplish two key goals: becoming a citizen and bringing her sons to the US. It was a long road. Citizenship took seven years, and it would take another eight years before the whole family was reunited. Once together again, Jenifer set her sights on another dream: homeownership. This common aspiration for immigrants seeking opportunity and a piece of the American dream would later inspire Natalie’s journey.

As a young adult, Natalie found her first place, a rented studio apartment. It was just one room, but it was her own square of space. Still, inspired by her mother’s dream, Natalie wanted more. So she signed up for a first-time homeowner’s course offered by the South Florida Community Land Trust in partnership with the Urban League of Broward County in 2019. The course equipped her with valuable knowledge about budgeting, mortgages and homeownership responsibilities. Soon after, she found the perfect home in peaceful Coconut Creek.

Today, Natalie’s home is much more than just four walls. She cherishes the tranquility and enjoys hosting family dinners. Working in telecommunications, she has a dedicated home office. And the space extends beyond her own needs. Driven by a desire to give back, Natalie actively contributes to her local church, leading initiatives that support the community. They organize clothing and toy drives, feed the unhoused, and more.

Every Saturday, Natalie makes the short trip to Miami to visit her family, including her mother, who’s now 79. Laughter fills the air as they cook, share stories around the kitchen table, and celebrate the incredible journey they’ve made together. Their reunions are a testament to the enduring power of family and the profound impact of achieving homeownership.

Home is where the body heals.

Barbara’s life has been a whirlwind of caring for others – first as a nurse, then as a dedicated mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. But the past 17 years brought a shift. With her health declining, Barbara became the one needing care. Her apartment, secured through the South Florida Community Land Trust, played a crucial role during this time, providing a safe haven where she could live with a sense of security and familiarity.

Barbara’s story starts long before the SFCLT. Raised in 1940s New York, she became a nurse, drawn to caring for others. Even after retirement and becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother, her life revolved around family.

Then came tough times. A cancer diagnosis in 2002 hit hard, followed by the need for a major surgery. Then,  an unthinkable diagnosis: Multiple sclerosis, a chronic illness that gradually makes it harder to move as time goes by. Soon, small, everyday tasks became a struggle, and the future seemed uncertain. The thought of losing her independence, of having to learn a new home layout — that was overwhelming.

This is precisely where the SFCLT made a difference. Having a safe, affordable apartment provided a vital foundation for Barbara during those difficult times. It eliminated the added burden of finding a new place, a process that can be especially challenging with limited mobility. The familiar layout of her apartment became a comfort zone, a space she could navigate with confidence.

The SFCLT’s impact went beyond the building. The quiet, well-maintained complex where Barbara’s apartment is located provides a sense of community, and a support system of reliable and compassionate neighbors that proved invaluable. Barbara’s husband, her rock throughout this journey, could focus on caring for her without the worry of unstable housing. And Barbara could enjoy arranging flowers and looking after her pet bearded dragon.

Today, Barbara’s story highlights why the affordable rentals offered by SFCLT are so critical. Beyond offering a safe haven, they allow people like Barbara to focus on what’s really important: getting better and cherishing life and family.

A Father’s Dream, A Son’s Achievement.

Michael’s father held two simple but unwavering dreams for his son: college graduation and homeownership. Though his father passed away years ago, these goals lived on in Michael.

In 2017, he earned a Master of Business Administration, achieving the first dream. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Fort Lauderdale and set his sights on the second. However, the South Florida real estate market’s soaring prices, combined with Michael’s student loan debt, created a daunting hurdle.

Undeterred, Michael immersed himself in learning about the home buying process, joining homebuyer clubs and seeking guidance and information. A pivotal moment came when he joined the Urban League of Broward, which led him directly to the South Florida Community Land Trust. After attending several first-time homebuyer prep courses, Michael qualified for a grant that helped him make a down payment on a house. 

He soon found his dream home, a beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in Deerfield designed and built by the SFCLT, part of a development project that constructed six homes to revitalize an otherwise divested residential block.

The day Michael finally closed on his home in 2019 was deeply emotional. He brought with him a framed photo of his father and placed it beside him, a poignant symbol of the man whose spirit was still driving him. The moment marked not only a financial achievement but also a heartfelt tribute to his family’s legacy.

At the time, Michael was single, but he was already envisioning his own future family. Today, that vision is a reality: he shares the home with his loving wife and 2-year-old son.

Michael now dedicates himself to helping others achieve their goals as an academic advisor. This stability has allowed him to think bigger about his own financial future: he is the first in his family to actively invest and plan for retirement.

Michael’s story exemplifies how homeownership leads to stability, but also to the realization of lifelong dreams, to the honoring of a father’s memory. Above all, homeownership can be a catalyst for personal growth and success, the kind that can be passed from one generation to the next.

A Mother’s Promise Fulfilled

Living in a high-crime neighborhood, Katie felt a constant worry for her children’s safety. The search for a safer, more stable home became a relentless pursuit. Despite facing multiple setbacks in the competitive housing market — she placed three offers that fell through, losing out to all cash buyers — she never wavered.

Then, a glimmer of hope appeared. The South Florida Community Land Trust offered a solution that exceeded her expectations. Through our program, Katie was able to purchase a four-bedroom home in Lauderdale Lakes – a place where her children could thrive and feel truly safe.

The transition to a spacious, secure home has been transformative. Katie’s monthly housing costs have actually decreased — she pays $300 less than w hat she was paying in rent! — while the quality of life for her family has soared. The peace of mind that comes with knowing her children can play freely in their own backyard is priceless.

“My kids love their home and it will be available to them for the rest of their lives. You cannot put a price tag on that,” Katie says. Her father’s promise has been fulfilled, and a new legacy of security and stability has begun for her family.

From Crisis to Cornerstone: A Family’s Journey Home

Yet, amidst the storm, their dream of homeownership remained a beacon of hope. Determined to rebuild their lives, they embarked on a journey to financial stability.

Their path led them to the South Florida Community Land Trust’s lease-purchase program. A two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Oakland Park became their sanctuary as they navigated the challenges of recovery. With unwavering determination, Luke launched an awning business and the couple diligently rebuilt their financial footing. Monthly rent payments, while not ownership, were steps towards their ultimate goal.

Two years later, perseverance paid off. Susan and Luke became the first Community Land Trust homeowners in Broward County, a milestone filled with immense pride. A remarkable twist of fate revealed their new home was adjacent to Luke’s childhood residence, creating a profound sense of homecoming.

As Luke reflects on their journey, his gratitude is palpable. “This is home,” he says. “Being able to own this place is like a dream come true.”

From Foreclosure to Forever Home: A Family’s Triumph

Initially, they settled into a Sunrise apartment, eager to embrace their new chapter. However, their dream was abruptly shattered when they received the devastating news that their landlord didn’t actually own the property. The apartment was facing foreclosure, forcing them to evacuate with little notice.

The upheaval was compounded by the increasing difficulty of finding affordable housing that could accommodate their growing family. With the addition of Sasha, their American Pit Bull Terrier, the need for more space became critical. Rising rents and the constant fear of displacement cast a shadow over their plans for a stable future.

A lifeline appeared in the form of the South Florida Community Land Trust. Through their program, Yumi and Arthur were able to purchase a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that met their family’s needs and offered the peace and security they craved.

Now, settled in their new home, Yumi reflects on their journey with gratitude. “It’s finally starting to sink in,” she says.” We are going to be here for a while.” When asked about the future, Yumi simply responds, “the rest is history in progress.”