For Amorsteen, the decision to become a homeowner came after years of renting, raising her three grandchildren, and dealing with problems that never seemed to get fixed.
“My rent would go up, and I had things break… and landlords not doing what they were supposed to do,” she said. “I was tired of asking for things to be fixed.”
Her experience reflects what many Milwaukee renters face — rising costs and unreliable housing conditions. For Amorsteen, it became the push she needed to find something more stable.
A Different Path Forward
Amorsteen first heard about Acts Housing from her sister. By then, she had already spent a year improving her credit and paying off debt. But when her rent increased again, she knew it was time to reach out to Acts and start working toward buying a home.
She was paired with an Acts homebuyer coach who helped her navigate the process and understand all her options. “He helped me understand the pre-approval process and apply for grants and down payment assistance. I couldn’t have become a homeowner without that support.”
Support That Meets Families Where They Are
For many families, financing is the biggest barrier to homeownership. Traditional lenders can take years to qualify for — but Acts Lending offers another path. Through flexible underwriting, Acts Lending supports families who may not qualify for traditional loans or who don’t want to wait years to become homeowners. Amorsteen was pre-approved on February 26, 2026, giving her a clear path forward.
She also purchased through Acts Homes, which provides move-in ready homes for families who complete homebuyer coaching — a good option for those who may not have the time or resources to take on a full rehab.
“I had no idea all of this was an option. I didn’t know Acts would lend to people, and I thought I was just going to have to wait many years before this was going to be possible for me.”
Staying the Course
Even with support, the process was hard. Managing paperwork, deadlines, and the demands of everyday life often felt like a lot to juggle.
“Keeping up with everything feels like a second job sometimes. It’s a lot of work and you have to remember to send in documents, call and follow up with people. It’s not easy.”
Amorsteen’s determination and persistence is what got her across the finish line, but her homebuyer coach and Acts Housing is what kept supporting her along the way.
“You don’t feel so alone… I had someone that would answer any questions I had and helped me keep on track.”
A Place to Call Her Own
On April 9, 2026, Amorsteen closed on her home — rehabbed and made available through Acts Homes.
“It felt amazing to say I have my own home,” she said. “It’s mine.”
After years of rising rent and unresponsive landlords, she finally has a place that belongs to her. She doesn’t have to ask anyone for anything anymore.
Looking Ahead
Amorsteen’s story is one that Acts Housing was built for — a grandmother who decided she was done waiting, spent a year getting her finances in order, and still needed a team behind her to make it happen. That’s not a shortcoming. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Through homebuyer coaching, Acts Lending, and Acts Homes, families who have been told to wait — or told no — find a different answer.
When asked what she’d say to someone who feels like homeownership is out of reach, Amorsteen didn’t hesitate: “Do not give up. Yes, it’s a challenge… but that’s what makes it worth it.”
For her grandchildren, growing up in a home their grandmother owns means stability, roots, and the knowledge that she didn’t give up — on herself or on them.
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