Kisia Beckham has never lived in her own home.

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“I've been living in public housing ever since I was a little girl,” Beckham said.

Beckham, a hard-working single mother of five thought she would live in public housing for the rest of her life.

But now, her new townhome, paid for by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), is considered a stepping stone to becoming a homeowner.

“When I had children I just wanted them to grow up in their own home but, I knew I couldn't get one on my own because of credit issues. So I gave up,” she said.

Beckham will live in the southeast Washington community with other aspiring homeowners who are all part of a brand new, and first of its kind, program for public housing residents.

Beckham will continue to pay 30 percent of her income to DCHA. But, now, that money is going into an escrow account to eventually become a down payment on a new home. She will also be counseled on budgeting, career advancement and on raising her credit score.

Beckham will have five years to complete the program. She says she knows she'll cross the finish line—especially with the support of her new community.