Meet Nekia Walker,
DC Saver

“Saving toward your goal is much more important than temporary pleasure. A home is a whole lot better and more secure than two hours in a movie theater.”

After college, Nekia Walker moved to DC to become an InnKeeper for Samaritan Inns. Her position with the 21-year-old nonprofit involved providing supervision and support for homeless individuals recovering from addictions and working toward independence. Samaritan Inns’ InnKeepers manage transitional group houses where men and women stay as they learn the skills they need to live on their own. This experience underscored the appeal and value of living in your own home for Nekia, so she’s saving for one through an Individual Development Account with the help of Capital Area Asset Builders and the Manna, Inc. Homebuyers Club.

Nekia said figuring out her financial priorities, including paying off credit card debt while saving for a home, has been challenging. She’s found it tough to say no to her friends when they want to go out and spend money. “I have to say ‘no’ to social engagements. I have to watch my spending in regard to food. If I weren’t trying to reach my goals, I could live more comfortably.” At the same time, Nekia knows that it’s worth it to forego entertainment to reach her goal. “Saving toward your goal is much more important than temporary pleasure. A home is a whole lot better and more secure than two hours in a movie theater.”

Participating in Manna’s home buying training classes has given Nekia more confidence in her understanding of what it takes to become a homeowner. “I was part of the fast track program at Manna, where you attend a training about credit, financial planning, predatory lending, et cetera. every third Thurdsay.  Every fourth Thursday you visit properties. It helped me to become more knowledgeable about terms used in home buying. I knew the words equity and predatory lending but I didn’t know what they meant, and now they’re a part of my language. Now I understand how important it is to have good credit. It made the home buying process less intimidating.”

“I don’t know what makes it mean so much to me, but this will be my first place of my own,” Nekia said. “My walls right now don’t belong to me. It will feel wonderful to be in my own home where I can do what I want to do. It will show that I can accomplish this and it’s a great investment financially for my future. It will establish my identity that I am officially an adult.”