Previously-homeless Flagstaff scientist buys home thanks to state help
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The ”Arizona Is Home" program was created a year ago to help people with their down payments, and a Flagstaff scientist is being hailed as one of the success stories.
Dale Fonken moved to the High Country because of his love for the outdoors and the Grand Canyon. He spends his days working on the Colorado River for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Being able to work down there was a dream job for me,” he said. “So it was like a no-brainer to move.”
That dream was almost lost as Fonken dealt with rent hikes of hundreds of dollars and spent the last year living out of his car. “It was kind of sad,” Fonken said. “I had reached my dream job, and I had gone to school for a really long time. The housing situation was just unsustainable.”
According to a study by the city of Flagstaff, housing costs rose 136% from 2013 to 2023, and according to the Chamber of Commerce, it’s 56% higher than the national average.
To assist workers like Fonken, Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Housing created the “Arizona is Home” program, which provides funding for down payments. To qualify, people must have annual incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.
“To be able to provide resources to help people who didn’t think they’d be able to own homes do that is really why I’m governor,” Gov. Hobbs said. “So it’s probably one of the best parts of my job.”
Fonken used $20,000 from this program, along with his savings, to buy his place. Now he’s a homeowner, and Gov. Hobbs visited his new place Friday.
Fonken said that without this assistance, he would have had to move. Now he feels safer and more rested with a roof over his head. “It was really life-changing,” he said. “I was kind of at a point where I loved my job and I loved my town, but I probably would have had to move elsewhere. But this program really made this possible to stay here long term.”
For more information about the program or how to apply, click/tap here.
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