From Public Housing to Homeownership: One Woman’s Journey
Tanese Orr’s story is one of determination and perseverance. For over 20 years, she and her husband, Robert Lashley, lived in New York City’s public housing. But Orr had bigger dreams. She wanted to own a home, not just rent another apartment.
A Chance at Homeownership
In 2015, the Small Homes Rehab-NYCHA Program was launched, providing an opportunity for low- and moderate-income families to purchase renovated homes. Since then, 61 homes have been sold to first-time homeowners. Orr saw this as her chance and applied for the program.
The Waiting Game
Three years after applying, Orr received an email requesting documents for a lottery application. She had just two weeks to submit the required paperwork, including pay stubs and bank account information. After submitting her application, she viewed two homes in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, an area she was familiar with from her days working at a Blockbuster in the early 2000s.
Finding the Perfect Home
Orr was initially drawn to a three-family house, but the couple was outbid. They then turned their attention to a two-family house, which had been gut-renovated and featured a backyard and finished basement. The house was valued at $1.1 million, and the Department of Housing Preservation covered the remaining purchase price in the form of a second mortgage.
The Financial Reality
Orr and her husband took out a $691,000 mortgage with a down payment of $36,369 and $23,395 closing costs. They also received a down payment assistance loan of $15,000. Their monthly mortgage payment was $4,968.36, which has since increased to $5,275.53.
The Journey to Homeownership
Closing on the property took over six months, but Orr was committed to making it happen. “I was going to find a way to get everything to them because I knew it would be my home,” she says. One condition of the program was that the couple had to rent out the one-bedroom apartment upstairs, which they did in October 2024.
The Biggest Adjustment
The family has lived in the house for over a year now, and the biggest adjustment has been getting used to the expenses that come with owning a home. “We’re coming from paying $1,800 a month to now paying $5,000 a month for a mortgage. It was an adjustment,” she says.
A Sense of Pride
Despite the challenges, Orr says it’s worth it now that she and her husband are homeowners. “The best part is saying that it’s ours and saying we did this and we were responsible enough to save and work hard for this and it’s ours,” she says. “It’s a peace of mind.”
Advice for Others
Orr’s biggest piece of advice for those going through the NYC housing lottery is to remember the importance of a good credit score. “Even if you have the money, if your credit is not right, you’re going to miss out on a great opportunity.”
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