You move into a new apartment with your family.  Within time you begin to notice that there are criminal elements operating around the apartment.  What is your first thought – chances are you begin thinking about how to move.  If you can move, it will be good for your family to get out but your kids may suffer some because of the transition.  Of course, the community you leave will not get any better for those who remain, indeed it may well get worse.

If you purchase a home on that same block you and you see that same crime, your reaction is likely to be different.  You have an investment to protect in your family and your new home.  In addition to helping your family build wealth, your mortgage offers you incentive to stay put and reduce the crime rather than just running.  Studies show that criminals will not be active when they know they are being watched and where there behavior may be reported.  It takes just a couple of calls to the police over issues of concern before the crime begins to reduce.  Gradually, other more stable families become willing to live in the same area and your purchase has not only led to more stability in your own family, it has led to a stable community as well.  Study after study has proven the positive family and social benefits of homeownership.  For this reason Metanoia works to establish homeownership opportunities in the communities of our region with the lowest rates of homeownership.  By doing this we see families build wealth and communities become stronger.

In the fall of 2010, Metanoia partnered with the SC Association of CDCs to do a study on the economic impact of our homeownership projects in the community.  To read the study - click the link below: