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ONYINYECHI AN
Community Advocate

Onyinyechi is a born and raised D.C native. Fun fact: In true DC fashion, the hospital he was born in is now actually a condo (formerly, Columbia Hospital for Women). After graduating from college in North Carolina and returning to DC, he saw firsthand how gentrification had caused the relocation of fellow DC native family and friends. Once a very vibrant place known around the U.S. as “Chocolate City”, the demographics no longer reflected the name. Determined to purchase in the city he was born in, he persevered and purchased his first property in 2013 in DC. Since purchasing that property, he has served as Treasurer, President, and Director of his Homeowner’s Association (HOA). He selected Roost as his community’s property management company and the rest is history.

While he is a government Program Manager by day, he often spends his free time supporting and giving back to his community. He has mentored children at the local Cesar Chavez Jr. High/High school. In addition to this, he volunteers his time and knowledge to advise his peers on becoming financially responsible and provides guidance wherever and whenever possible. He was honored when he was asked to join the Birdseed Advisory Board. He is and continues to be very proud to have a property management company like Roost, who continuously gives back to the communities in which they serve. He is happy to be able to be a part of the solution to repair the historically unjust, unfair, and disproportionate financial restrictions that have hindered Black, Brown and various people of color (POC) from being able to participate in the American dream and gain generational wealth through the acquisition of land and property.

About

Our housing justice program offers down payment grants to qualifying BIPOC first time home buying residents in the DC and Philadelphia areas. Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000 and grants are made multiple times per year until funds are expended.

The application/review process is straight forward and uncomplicated.

Our Board of Advisors reviews applications, interviews finalists and identifies grantees. This is a partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation who supports the administrative complexity so we can very simply help people buy homes. *

Applicants must identify as one of the following: American Indian, Indigenous, Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, African American, Hispanic or Latinix birdSEED has made 29 provisional grants to date. The total grant pool available was $215,000. Additional funds have been raised from supportive community members who shared our vision of simple, no strings financial down payment grants that accelerate the home buying process. If you are positioned to give, please do. Needs are great, resources are limited and your help is essential.

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