At 22, Marcus became the youngest homeowner in his neighborhood after completing the HIM Home Builders program.
Marcus grew up in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, moving between rental homes throughout his childhood. Stability felt like something other families had — not his. But everything changed when he joined the HIM Home Builders program at age 19.
Over two years, Marcus learned carpentry, plumbing fundamentals, and construction safety. He earned industry-recognized certifications while building real homes alongside experienced professionals. More importantly, he learned how to budget, save, and plan for his own future.
“I never thought owning a home was possible for someone like me,” Marcus says. “HIM showed me it wasn’t just possible — it was within reach if I put in the work.”
Through the program’s structured savings plan, Marcus set aside a portion of every paycheck. His mentors helped him understand credit building and the home buying process from pre-approval to closing.
At 22, Marcus closed on a three-bedroom home just blocks from where he grew up. He’s now one of the youngest homeowners in his neighborhood — and he’s not stopping there.
“I want to help other young people see what I see now — that ownership is the foundation for everything else. It’s stability. It’s pride. It’s generational wealth.”
Marcus now volunteers as a peer mentor in the HIM Home Builders program, helping the next generation of youth follow the same path from renting to owning.
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