Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky (HONK) is a faith-based, non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to elevating lives and stabilizing neighborhoods through affordable homeownership. HONK rehabs homes and builds new homes using significant volunteer labor to keep construction costs low. We work closely with individuals and families to help them prepare for their new responsibilities as homeowners.HONK uses a lease-to-own model to help people who otherwise may never own a home. They live in the home they are working to purchase. As they make their monthly lease payment, a small portion is set aside and gifted back at purchase. This set-aside can be used toward a down-payment, to cover closing costs and other expenses associated with owning a home.HONK provides support for our clients as they prepare for homeownership. This includes budget and credit counseling as well as basic financial literacy. With HONK's help, our clients work to address the necessary issues that have proven to be obstacles to homeownership. In addition to one-on-one attention, HONK provides group workshops for clients in our program. In most cases, HONK gives referrals to other social service organizations to further assist our clients in preparation for homeownership. In the meantime, our clients are mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, changing furnace filters, and getting used to the utility costs of the home they are working to purchase.