AHW Helps Homeownership Dreams Come True

The limited housing supply in Addison County has made it difficult to expand AHW’s shared equity homeownership program. However, in 2024, our downpayment grant program helped one family achieve their dream of homeownership in Shoreham while securing another permanently affordable home for future generations.

For the Avelis family, the dream of homeownership once felt just out of reach. After spending a year searching for a home, making multiple unsuccessful offers, and watching rental costs rise beyond their means, they faced an uncertain future. With a second child on the way, they were on the brink of leaving Vermont, despite it being the place they already considered home.

That changed when a friend introduced them to Addison Housing Works’ shared equity homeownership program. "At first, it sounded too good to be true," they recall. "But as we worked through the application, we became hopeful for the first time that we could stay in Vermont and even own our first home."

Their acceptance into the program marked the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with stability, optimism, and deep gratitude. "We look at each other every day and say, ‘I can't believe this is our house. This is our life.’ Having a place to raise our family and put down roots feels incredible."
With the burden of housing insecurity lifted, the family’s stress levels have decreased dramatically. "We're no longer worried about where we will live or whether we can build with a long-term future in mind. Having affordable, stable housing has been life-changing."

When Shared Equity Program Manager Michelle Caniyo asked the family what they want people to know about affordable housing, they underscored the broader impact of affordable homeownership on community well-being: "Affordable housing is a cornerstone of a strong, diverse, and socially sustainable community. When people feel stable and secure in their housing, they have more to give back. Supporting programs like Addison Housing Works doesn’t just help families today—it creates a foundation of care that will echo through future generations."

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the commitment of Addison Housing Works, another Vermont family has found a place to call home—ensuring they can continue to be part of the community they love.