After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks shook the nation and claimed the lives of 412 first responders and injured countless others, Ruth Johnson and her family wanted a way to give back to the brave men and women around the country who strived to make a difference in their communities. Together, they created

Homes For Heroes, a non-profit organization that works with more than 3,200 real estate agents and mortgage professionals around the country who strive to “provide extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services.” 

Wendy Guin, an agent who assists Maggie Barr at Keller Williams Realty located on Soquel Avenue, is one of only two realtors in Santa Cruz County who work with Homes For Heroes to help first responders, doctors, teachers, and veterans attain their dream of home ownership. A Santa Cruz native, she was inspired to be an affiliate with Homes for Heroes when she realized that the high cost of living was forcing hard working teachers and nurses out of the area.

“I saw so many people move away, and others are renting paycheck to paycheck,” she says. “Around here people are forced to choose between being able to pay bills or going into a specific service because they do not pay us what we need to live here.”
In fact, a recent USA Today analysis placed Santa Cruz as one of the top three least affordable places for teachers to live in the country, followed by San Jose and San Francisco. The report found that 66 percent of a teacher’s income in Santa Cruz went towards rent.

As a result, many teachers have had to seek employment elsewhere, while others commute every day from less expensive cities such as the more affordable housing options in the Santa Cruz mountains or southern Monterey County. Wendy believes people who choose to dedicate their life to serving their community deserve better. 
“We want good teachers here, we want doctors and nurses,” says Wendy. “These are people we need as a part of our community. But the pay is not to scale with what they need to purchase a home in this area. So anything we can do to make that easier or a possibility for them, I’m all for.” 

When a hero reaches out to Wendy for assistance with finding a Forever Home here in Santa Cruz, the process is very similar to a typical buying experience.
“It can definitely be stressful,” Wendy says. However, Homes for Heroes strives to assist their clients in maintaining a positive home buying experience by implementing beneficial incentives; One of which is a special grant that the hero receives once the buying process is complete.

The amount of the grant fluctuates and is generally equivalent to 0.7% of the purchase price of the property.

“The money that the hero and their family receives can be used for anything they wish,” Wendy explains. “It’s a great financial cushion to have, especially considering how costly moving can be.”

Agents like Wendy, who assist the heroes with the home buying process, receive a credit at close of escrow. Once a hero purchases their home, Homes For Heroes Inc. donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes For Heroes Foundation–a process they refer to as “The Circle of Giving.”

The foundation funds are used to award Hero Grants to local nonprofit charities serving the community’s heroes in need. Over the last ten years, nearly $700,000 worth of grants have been awarded to first responders, teachers, nurses, and military personnel who choose to serve their communities no matter the circumstances.

Wendy says that the reason why she is happy to be affiliated with Homes For Heroes is because they come from a place of contribution. “I care a lot about this community. With this organization the process is not about just buying or selling homes, we’re always looking for ways to support people in these occupations too.”
Right before coronavirus hit Wendy was busy putting together snack boxes for hard-working teachers all over Santa Cruz to show her appreciation for all their work.

When medical supplies were scarce and medical personnel were forced to take their own face masks to work, she partnered with other charitable residents to deliver 200 Ear Savers to Dominican Hospital so that the masks doctors and nurses wore weren’t causing them any pain. In the future, Wendy hopes that more heroes will take advantage of the help Homes for Heroes can supply them with. 

“We really want to help the people who help our community.” If you or anyone you know is a first responder, educator, or current/former military personnel, please visit the Homes for Heroes website for more information on how your community can help you find your forever home.