Celebrating the HomeFront Program

Home is where the heart is! For the American soldiers who risk their lives every day to protect our freedoms, home is a cherished memory and something they dream about coming back to. The Cuyahoga Land Bank has made this dream a reality with the HomeFront Veteran’s Home Ownership Program Veteran . On Friday, May 23, 2014, the Cuyahoga Land Bank held a Memorial Day event commemorating U.S. Army Specialist Holden Gibbons for purchasing and renovating a home through the HomeFront program.
Gibbons served in Afghanistan from 2012-2013, earning two Afghan Campaign Stars, an Army Achievement Medal, a NATO Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He chose the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s program because he decided he wanted to own his own home instead of paying rent. HomeFront offered affordable payments and discounts for the first-time homebuyer. Gibbons chose the City of Euclid for his home because of the proximity to downtown Cleveland and University Circle.
“This is a fantastic program that makes it so much more possible to own a home without getting into a huge loan,” said Gibbons. “Working with the Land Bank was such an enjoyable experience because of the people. You feel like you’re dealing with family at every stage of the process.”
At the celebration, Gibbons stood with his father, local veterans in uniform along with Cuyahoga Land Bank President Gus Frangos and Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik. Cervenik welcomed and honored Gibbons for his service.
“The City of Euclid welcomes US Army SPC Gibbons to our community,” said Cervenik. “We see the immediate results of working with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to attract interest in the purchase and renovation of formerly vacant, abandoned properties in our community when we gain new residents like Mr. Gibbons.”
The event was held not only to commemorate Mr. Gibbons and Memorial Day, but also to raise awareness among veteran’s organizations of the options they have when it comes to home-buying.
More information on the program can be found at www.cuyahogalandbank.org/homefront.
“I would recommend this program for all vets,” said Gibbons. “Even for those who aren’t vets, I would recommend the Cuyahoga Land Bank because they are extremely flexible and want to help the community.”
The Land Bank is very proud of this program and its ability to help those who help us. To Holden Gibbons: Welcome home, Soldier.