LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville program that helps low-income families and individuals move from renting to buying homes hit a milestone.

Louisville Metro Housing Authority marked its 500th homeownership closing on Wednesday.

Complete with a drumline and music, it was a day of celebration for Patrice Middlebrooks, who became the proud owner of her first home on Riverview Avenue in the city's Chickasaw neighborhood. 

"Today was a nice day. I'm so glad everyone came out to celebrate with me," Middlebrooks said. 

After living in several public housing communities, she has been a part of the Metro Housing Program since 2005, but when she went to pay her rent, she found out about the home ownership program. 

The program, which launched in 1997, allows residents and housing voucher recipients to apply their subsidies toward mortgage payments instead of rent. It allowed Middlebrooks to buy a home of her own -- something she never thought was possible. 

Louisville Metro Housing Authority executive director Elizabeth Strojan said this program is an example of what can be accomplished by her office.  

"We obviously have a lot we need to work on, but things like LMHA Home Ownership program, they show you who we are. They show you why we're here, and they show you what we're capable of," Strojan said. 

Before qualifying, participants must complete a specific course covering topics like budgeting, home maintenance, budgeting, credit counciling and securing financing. 

The program launched in 1997 and ranked as the fourth largest program of its type in the nation behind Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.

Currently, 403 families are participating in the program, with an additional 19 contracts expected to close in the coming months.

Middlebrooks said she is excited to host the holidays in her brand new home. 

So far, the program has helped 503 people purchase homes with an average price of just under $129,000, and just more than half of participants are elderly or disabled. There are still 320 households still active in the program.

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