Supporting Homeowners Through Stewardship

At Addison Housing Works, we know that finding safe, stable, and affordable housing can be life-changing. We recently spoke with one of our residents, Marci Cousino, about her experience securing an affordable home and how it has impacted her life. Marci moved in several years ago and made many improvements to make the house her home. AHW was able to chip in with stewardship funds to complete several items that had turned up on the inspection, and the work will be finished this spring.

A Lifelong Connection to Bristol Marci grew up in Bristol, Vermont, surrounded by a large and supportive family. With a background in shipping and warehouse inventory management, she adapted when life took an unexpected turn, finding new career opportunities. Today, she works as a purchasing manager and also serves her community by driving a school bus for the MAUSD district.

Navigating a Competitive Housing Market Like many others in Addison County, Marci faced the challenge of displacement when her rental was sold. “I was told my current apartment was being sold, and the new owner was going to live there,” she shared. With few options available, she explored different housing opportunities and learned that a home within our program was about to be listed for sale.

She quickly began the application process, understanding how competitive the market was. “I jumped through hoops to try to get everything done quickly because the housing market was so tight. I almost didn’t get the house as two people were ahead of me to look at it.” But persistence paid off, and she was able to secure a home through Addison Housing Works.

A Home That Brings Peace of Mind Since moving in, Marci has experienced the security and stability that come with homeownership. “I like knowing that I have a home that I will not be asked to leave,” she said. She also highlighted the importance of the support provided by Addison Housing Works. “Having the support of the trust to get fixes done that are outside my financial ability helped tremendously.”

Advice for Others Seeking Affordable Housing For those currently searching for affordable housing, Marci offers practical advice: “Get an application in even if there isn’t a house on the market. Talk with the representatives in the area you are looking so they can help you when something becomes available. Be patient and trust the process. Everyone is doing the best they can, and things work out.”

Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of affordable housing programs. At Addison Housing Works, we remain committed to creating more opportunities for individuals and families to find the security of a stable home.