If you or someone you know calls Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) for information about our homebuyer program, you’ll talk with Kai Jones, WIN’s housing counselor intake specialist. Jones has first-hand experience with how WIN’s homebuyer classes and one-on-one counseling can help you achieve your goal of homeownership.
In 2015, Kai Jones was a recently-married transplant from Detroit, Michigan, who was interested in buying a home. She and her husband took WIN’s day-long homebuyer class and worked with a HUD-certified counselor. “The knowledge we gained boosted our confidence. We learned the terminology and how the homebuying process works. That helped us build trust in the system,” Jones explained. In less than 8 months, they were homeowners.
Fast forward 8 years, and Jones is now a WIN housing counselor intake specialist. She is using her past experience of participating in WIN’s homebuyer program and her degree in human services to help WIN clients navigate the home-buying landscape. Having sat on both sides of the desk, Jones understands how clients can feel overwhelmed. “I love helping people, and I find it easy to connect with them,” said Jones.
Every day, she interacts with clients, providing them with the information they need to participate in WIN’s homebuyer program. “We help them become comfortable talking with both lenders and real estate agents. It’s important for them to be able to communicate what they are looking for in a home,” said Jones. One client that Jones won’t soon forget took classes prior to COVID-19 and purchased a home in 2020. Jones noted, “ This late-in-life new homeowner was so impressed with WIN’s program that she has encouraged at least seven family members to take classes,” said Jones.
For more information about WIN’s homeownership programs, call Kai Jones at 513.541.4109 x 126 or kjones@wincincy.org.