Cathy Williams, President/CEO NeighborWorks Columbus

Inland Empire resident Monica McVey tried to purchase a home in 2012, but the deal fell apart at the last minute. “It wasn’t the best time in my life,” she recalls. “I had to cancel the purchase the week before my closing was scheduled.”

After serving in the military for 18 years, first in the Army and then the Marines in both Gulf Wars and in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kienya Rudolph returned home to Detroit in 2007. Unfortunately, he became unable to work because of chronic fatigue and migraines related to his time in combat. The Rudolphs lost their home to foreclosure in the spring of 2012.

Alan Hipps, Executive Director, Housing Assistance Program of Essex County

After renting an apartment for two years, Ashley Johnson knew she wanted to be a homeowner, preferably in Detroit, where she works for the Girl Scouts.