One may ask who does the wage and real estate discrepancy hurt and what does the term hardworking person mean? The answer is shocking. People that work for the city as secretaries, technicians, and in law enforcement are affected; people that work in your children’s school, or the business down the street are affected; people that work hard and long hours in landscaping and construction are affected. Oddly enough, people that have experienced financial hardship and those with very conscious spending habits have also found themselves in the same quandary.

Is there a way that people of unique lifestyles and financial backgrounds can be assisted in making their dream or desire come true of being a homeowner? The answer is a resounding YES! Despite Sonoma County’s volatile market, this dream or accomplishment—regardless of its reasoning or purpose—has blossomed into its reality for several unique families with the guidance of Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County (HLTSC). HLTSC has not only planted, nourished and watered that seed to sprout homeownership, but has cultivated each plant according to its needs. Furthermore, one will find that the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County homebuyers have come from many different walks in life—as many have experienced various adversities, others have much to be thankful. While many have lived in the area their whole lives, others are recently adjusting. While some have younger children, others have older and no children.

Some attribute finding the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County as “chance,” some describe it more as a “mystical” opportunity and others claim it as a “blessing.” However, regardless of the past path or the families’ differences, all have embarked on a new journey of homeownership made possible by Housing Land Trust and described using the land trust as “getting more for their dollar.” There is an undeniable similarity in each of the family’s desired future of wanting something to show for their work and a place to call home which is at last made possible. Moreover, cookie- cutter families do not exist and that is why a dynamic solution is essential in actualizing the popular and well deserved dream of homeownership for the hard working of Sonoma County.