New Law Offers Hope to Homebuyer
There was no shortage of love and support for future San Gabriel Valley Habitat homeowner, Kiana when family and friends gathered in Baldwin Park on Saturday, Feb. 10th to work side-by-side building Kiana’s dream: a home of her own.
At 25 years old, Kiana will be SGV Habitat’s youngest homeowner, which does not come as a surprise to her family and friends. “Kiana is a go-getter. She makes things happen. She was determined to be a homeowner and began saving her paychecks for years,” Erica, Kiana’s mother proudly shared. “When she heard about the SGV Habitat homeownership program, she took it upon herself to proceed with the necessary paperwork by herself,” Erica continued.
The sentiment was unanimously and consistently repeated throughout the day, with family proudly sharing Kiana’s personality of inspiration, perseverance, and helpful nature. “She does a lot of service as a community worker, so it is coming back to her ten-fold, and it is well deserving,” her sister Amanda expressed proudly.
Kiana’s is no stranger to what she calls the “heartbreaking struggles” and restrictions that renters face. She is an advocate and community supporter for renter’s rights. Daily, she assists renters with conflicts stemming from a myriad of rental issues including, unsafe living spaces, relocating tenants after their rental property is sold, lack of heat and air conditioning, and other problems associated with renting a home. The emotional trauma she has seen inflicted on renters, many who are low-income and minorities, solidified her resolve to become a homeowner.
“If it were not for SGV Habitat, I would be looking to move hundreds of miles away from Baldwin Park, the community I was raised in, where my friends and family reside, and a community that I love,” Kiana said. Kiana will be living a mile from her sister, mother, and grandparents. 
Housing Advocacy in Action
Kiana’s future home is the first SGV Habitat has built under SB9, known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act. This new law enabled us to split the lot of a property, establishing additional units for affordable housing. Kiana’s roomy one bedroom, one bathroom home was formerly the garage of the existing home.
As Kiana walked through the unfinished home, she shared what owning a home of her own means to her. She expressed happiness in knowing she will celebrate many jubilant occasions in her home. She looks forward to learning new skills like cooking in her own kitchen. She is excited to have the autonomy to play her guitar, bass, and cello without disturbing a neighbor with a shared wall. 
With ample outdoor space, she envisions hosting her family and friends to
celebrate life’s joys.
“As her mother, I feel not just pride of Kiana’s accomplishments, but I am relieved because this home means more than a roof; it means stability, greater opportunities, freedom, building equity, and setting a foundation for her future,” Erica said, with tears in her eyes.
“I am filled with gratitude to SGV Habitat and everyone who has been involved in making my dream come true,” Kiana said with sincerity as she surveyed the surroundings of her new home.
