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NEW ORLEANS (NNPA) - More than a week after becoming the 120th homeowner through the Housing Authority of New Orleans Homeownership Program, Chequila Carter is still in a "state of shock" from having her own place.

And, she said, she couldn't have made the leap to homeownership without HANO's help and guidance.

"It's still like a state of shock," said Carter, 35, assistant manager of a Family Dollar store in New Orleans. "It's a good thing for HANO to have a program to assist people to do better. I thank God for it so much because without it, I wouldn't have been able to buy a home."

Carter formally signed papers early this month to purchase the three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,700-square-foot renovated home in New Orleans East. Carter and her three children moved in the next day; she is still unpacking boxes this week.

HANO's Homeownership Pro_gram, which began in 2000, assists qualified public housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program clients to become first-time homeowners by providing counseling and access to financial resources.

HCVP clients who participate in the homeownership program, like Carter, can use their monthly rental assistance voucher to help pay their monthly mortgage. After 15 years, most HCVP clients assume full responsibility for their mortgage.

HANO Administrative Receiver David Gilmore praised the program, saying it offers a great opportunity for public housing and HCVP clients.

"Hearing stories from people like Ms. Carter reminds us of the importance of our agency and our job at HANO - to find ways we can help improve the lives of New Orleanians," Gilmore said. "This is a great story, and we wish Ms. Carter the best."

When Carter signed for her mortgage, she became the 120th person to become a homeowner through the HANO Homeownership Program - which ranks among the top homeownership programs run by public housing authorities across the country.

Nicole Barnes, HANO's vice president for homeownership, congratulated Carter: "I have the utmost respect for people like Ms. Carter who are willing to take a giant leap of faith and the challenge of owning a home. I'm happy we could help."

Carter also is happy - happy to have her own house and not be required to answer to anyone other than herself. She said the simple act of signing the paperwork for the house was something she'll never forget.

"I can't explain the feeling," Carter said. "It was scary for me, signing and signing all the papers. I still can't believe it. I'm so happy. I'm so happy in my house."

This story comes special to NNPA from the Louisiana Weekly.