Atheer owns a townhouse with a small backyard. He enjoys the privacy he has with his new home, especially how his daughter can play in their yard safely without worry. As a homeowner, he feels more financially stable than when he paid rent. Instead, Atheer is investing in his family’s future by paying off his mortgage and building equity in his home. 

Atheer, who came to the United States as a refugee from Iraq, recently purchased his first home with the assistance of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program. The DPA program can match the funds that the family or individual puts towards their first home, doubling their impact and ensuring the family’s goals become reality. The DPA program works in tandem with another program that matches the amount that refugees put towards other assets: the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. If individuals or families use both programs, their ability to purchase a home increases. 

Atheer is standing in front of his house, his hands in his pockets
Atheer recently purchased his first home with the assistance of the DPA program.
Photo: Courtesy of Atheer

Since 2019, the IRC’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program has been working with refugees in the community to support their goals by matching the amount they invest. Potential goals are focused on creating opportunity or increasing assets: saving for education, opening a business, purchasing a car, or buying a house. Brady Adams, the asset development coordinator, oversees the program providing financial education and facilitating the distribution of funds once eligible participants have completed the program requirements. 

According to Brady, when refugees in Utah begin looking for a home, their central concern is space. After living in apartments, they eagerly look forward to homes that provide space and privacy. This was Atheer’s primary concern, as privacy is an important part of his culture. He saved money for two years before he was able to join the DPA program that afforded him access to the down payment assistance he needed to finally be able to afford to buy his own home.  

During this time, Atheer was also talking to his friends and doing research about home buying in the US. Even with the financial and educational preparation that he did himself, he said that the financial and educational support that the IRC provided was critical to him achieving homeownership. In particular, Atheer said that being able to meet lenders and realtors through the IRC’s Home Buying classes —an integral part of the DPA program— was the last piece of the puzzle that had to come into place before he could actually start the home buying process. Now, he works harder and longer than ever, motivated to pay off his mortgage quickly.  

For Brady, this program is important because of it what it promises long-term. “This is not only a way to help clients live better lives, but a systemic way of changing the system,” he says. “The more money and financial capacity I can give clients, the more voice and power I can give them and their children. Home buying is the single biggest driver of generational wealth and financial stability. That’s how I undermine the system that stands right now and move it towards a more just future.” 

If you are interested in joining the IDA program to reach your financial goals, learn more by connecting with Brady Adams at [email protected] or +1 801 326 3074. 

Ensure innovative programs, like the IDA and DPA programs, continue in an effort to help families achieve homeownership by making a one-time contribution or starting a monthly gift today at Rescue.org/GiveSLC.