A single mother of two boys, Sharry DeVallhad a goal to own a home of her own by the time her oldest son entered high school. After struggling financially for many years, making too much money to access social services, and not enough to cover all her living expenses, she recovered from bankruptcy and in 2010 began looking at housing options for her family.

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The homes that were affordable to her needed more work than her budget and time commitments would allow. Then the Daily Interlake newspaper ran an article abou the Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant award to the City of Kalispell, MT, and the formation of the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust (NWMTCLT). Sharry called Community Action Partnership the very next day and came one step closer to her goal. The CLT was the perfect match for her situation. She was able to move out of her rental and into a newer, completely rehabilitated home (under 10 years old). When the mortgage loan process was complete, Sharry and her sons moved into a home that was not only affordable but that belonged to her and her sons. Sharry's mortgage, taxes and homeowners' insurance were equal to the amount she had previously paid in rent and her monthly budget was still intact. Sharry's oldest son was halfway through his senior year on move-in day! NWMTCLT had made it possible for Sharry to achieve her goal.