Ebonee Haney, a teacher and band director at North Side High School in Madison County, closed on her first home in the summer of 2026.
The move followed a failed attempt to purchase a different property earlier in her journey. According to a report from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), the initial deal fell through unexpectedly, delaying Haney and her fiancé.
A real estate agent visiting Haney’s classroom eventually introduced her to the THDA Homeownership for Heroes program. This initiative provides specific financial assistance to public service workers to make buying a home more attainable.
Haney discovered she was eligible for down payment assistance and a reduction in her home loan interest rate through the program. By combining these benefits with her personal savings, she was able to secure a mortgage.
“It’s been a true blessing,” Haney stated. “It really meant a lot to me that I was able to do this program, have the assistance that I needed, and that I was able to have the help through this program so I can get into a house sooner.”
The Homeownership for Heroes program, alongside the THDA Great Choice loan, serves as a mechanism to stabilize communities by assisting those in essential roles. For Haney, the acquisition of the property represents more than just a real estate transaction.
The new residence provides a space for the newlyweds to host friends and family. Haney noted that owning the home allows the couple to “fellowship” and create a center for community connection.
“Owning this home is not only a blessing in the sense that we can have something that is ours but the fact that we are able to have friends and family over so we can fellowship,” Haney said.
While many public service professionals face high costs of living relative to their salaries, programs like these aim to bridge the gap between steady employment and wealth accumulation through property ownership. For Haney, the process was about establishing a foundation for new beginnings.
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