By Isabela Gamez
Primavera Foundation
How One Mom Turned Opportunity Into Homeownership
For Renee Evans, the journey to homeownership didn’t happen overnight. It took patience, persistence, and a willingness to try again.
A single mother of two, Evans first heard about The Primavera Foundation through a friend who had successfully gone through the program years earlier.
“My friend got his home through them a few years back, and he kept pushing me, and then I finally did it,” Evans said. “I’m really grateful. I try to tell people as much as I can because even if you don’t qualify right then and there, they’re going to help you figure it out.”
Evans initially enrolled in Primavera’s Homeownership Opportunities Program (HOP), where she began to understand her financial standing. At the time, she wasn’t quite ready.
“The first time I did the program, they helped me see where I was with my credit,” she said. “I had to work out some things that didn’t line up. Like my debt-to-income ratio was very high.”
Instead of giving up, she took what she learned and spent the next year improving her financial situation. When she returned to the program, everything finally aligned. “I waited another year or two and then I went back and did it again and that’s when everything lined up perfectly for me.”
Through Primavera’s financial education classes—part of the Homeownership and Her Family program—Evans and her children gained valuable knowledge about saving, budgeting, and planning for the future. Upon completing the program, Evans received $125 and each of her children received $65 as incentives to open savings accounts.
“The financial education class prepared me for everything. I had all of my finances ready to just dive in,” she said.
Building a Path to Ownership
Working closely with her housing counselor, Evans explored different funding opportunities available to her.
“I met one-on-one with Celia, and we went over the different types of funding,” she said. “I ended up getting $30,000 through Primavera.”
She was also referred to a lender at Bank of America, where she was able to stack additional down payment assistance.
With that support, Evans found a four-bedroom home that was newly remodeled and move-in ready.
“It was really cool—I put $1,000 earnest money down, and when we closed, I actually got about $1,500 back,” she said. “I came out at zero.”
A Family Journey
For Evans, this wasn’t just her journey, it was a shared experience with her children.
“I explained every step to them,” she said. “They went to the houses with me. I had to make sure it felt right for all of us.”
Her children were involved from the beginning, learning alongside her and gaining confidence in a process that can often feel overwhelming.
“They’re very knowledgeable now, which makes me feel good. I know when they get to that stage in life, they won’t be afraid.”
As a first-generation homebuyer from Nogales and one of five siblings, Evans says the moment carried deep meaning. “My mom and grandma never owned a home,” she said.
Worth the Wait
From starting the program in June to closing on her home on October 1, Evans completed the process in just three to four months. While the experience came with its challenges, she says the outcome made it all worthwhile.
“It was very stressful, but it was so worth it,” she said. “Three to four months and now you have something for the rest of your life.”
Before purchasing her home, Evans was renting and paying more than what her mortgage would eventually cost.
“It was a great year. I was able to transition from being a renter to a homeowner,” she said. “A home is an investment. It’s something I can use for my kids.”
Paying It Forward
Now, Evans is looking ahead—not just for herself, but for others like her.
She hopes to obtain her real estate license and help guide future homeowners through the same process that changed her life.
“It was really inspiring,” she said. “A lot of real estate agents don’t even know how these programs work. I feel like I could really make an impact helping people like me reach their dreams.”
A Message to Other Families
For other single parents who may feel discouraged or unsure, Evans has one clear message:
“Keep pursuing it. Don’t get discouraged—it’s possible, and it’s worth it.”
Looking back, she says she wishes she had given herself more grace in the beginning.
“I would give myself a little more courage,” she said. “I was really hard on myself wanting everything to line up perfectly.”
Today, she stands as proof that with the right support, determination, and resources, homeownership is within reach.
“You don’t have to feel stuck renting your whole life,” Evans said. “It is possible.”