A Journey to Homeownership: Ariana’s Inspiring Transformation
February 16, 2026
On Valentine’s Day, Avenue Board Member Ariana Campos celebrated her 7th “home-eversary.” In 2019, she attended a homebuyer education class at Avenue, and it transformed her life.
Here is her story:
I grew up in a small town in South Texas, and owning a home in Houston felt like something meant for others, not me. I was not house hunting, saving for a down payment, and never believed it was possible. Still, out of curiosity, I attended a first-time homebuyer class I had heard about at a community meeting in the Northside.
That class was my first real lesson in financial responsibility. A few days later, I sat down with a housing counselor to look at my personal finances. This meeting was the first time I had ever seen my full financial picture, and it was overwhelming. I was buried in debt. My minimum monthly payments were more than I earned monthly.
Avenue helped me with the resources I needed to move forward. I was referred to an organization that helped consolidate my debt, lower my interest rates, and close every credit card except one, a card for emergencies. For the first time, my payments were affordable. Month by month, I paid down the debt, made extra payments when I could, and started to breathe again.
A few years later, when I heard about Avenue Meadows, something in me clicked. I called immediately and did everything required to reserve a spot. I even signed up early enough to personalize my home. My house is the same color as my grandmother’s house, a small but meaningful way to carry her with me. I picked the paint colors, the fixtures, the details that would turn a house into my home.
A few months before closing, I paid off every dollar of my remaining credit card debt, ahead of schedule. I entered the homebuying process with a clean, strong credit report. I took the first-time homebuyer class again, learning even more about lenders, incentives, and long-term stability. I followed every step, and in 2019, I closed on my home.
Today, seven years later, my home is still my favorite place in the world. It’s where I host family and friends. Where I feel safe, proud, and rooted. And where I discovered that lawns require far more attention than I ever imagined. But just as important as the house itself are the financial literacy skills I carry with me. I can’t remember the last time I paid an interest charge on a credit card. I still budget for what I need. I save for what I want.
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Avenue believes affordable housing is worth investing in. They don’t just provide homes, they provide clients with the knowledge, stability, and confidence to achieve stable housing.