Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson was in Dubuque today to promote a state program that helps first-time home buyers. Pederson says in just the past year, the “First Home” program has helped about 19-thousand Iowans stop renting and start owning a home. Pederson says the program helps first-time home buyers navigate the banking system and provides money to help cover closing costs. Pederson visited a Dubuque home now owned Cindy Fuerst. Fuerst is a disabled veteran who got federal vouchers to help cover her rent, and got permission to use those vouchers to help make payments on a home loan. Fuerst had rented a home for 10 years. Pederson says Fuerst is the first to use the program in this way. Pederson says owning a home is part of the American dream, and the program’s helping thousands of Iowans reach that goal and “move up” financially.
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