When we talk about homeownership, the focus is usually on everything that leads up to getting the keys, saving for a down payment, navigating the loan process, and the trials and tribulations of the house hunt.
But at Catapult, we know that that’s only half the battle.
The real challenge and opportunity comes after you move in. That’s when you’re faced with questions like: How do I maintain my home? How do I know if refinancing makes sense? How can I ensure this investment benefits my family for generations to come?
That’s why, at Catapult, we are shifting the conversation from how to get more people into homes to how to help people build their legacies.
From keys to confidence
Enter K.E.Y. — short for Keeping Equity Yours — Catapult’s post-purchase program designed to support long-term, sustainable homeownership. Through monthly workshops and one-on-one counseling, homeowners gain practical tools for everything from basic repairs to estate planning.
“The trend with homeownership programs is to focus on getting first-time buyers into homes,” explained Brettney Duck, Catapult’s Director of Homeownership. “But nobody talks about how those buyers can maintain and sustain their homes. That part is crucial, especially for first-generation homeowners.”
For most homeowners who come through Catapult’s programs, they often don’t have the luxury of inherited knowledge or experience, especially when it comes to navigating the complexities of wealth transfer. That’s why estate planning is a core part of K.E.Y.
Estate planning as a tool for equity
Among other things, K.E.Y. helps residents avoid what’s known as a “tangled title,” when the legal ownership of a home is unclear or disputed, often because a property wasn’t properly passed down. This issue not only disrupts families but can also lead to abandoned properties and community neglect.
“…that’s one of the reasons we have so much blight, people get these assets, but they don’t know what to do with them,” said Duck. “That’s what makes Catapult’s support unique. We’re there from beginning to end.”
The full continuum of Catapult support encompasses financial coaching through our S.A.V.E. program, pre-purchase guidance through D.O.O.R., and post-purchase education through K.E.Y. Meanwhile, our CLEAR program can assist those already dealing with tangled title situations. And for those who don’t need the full suite, they can pick and choose which programs are helpful to them.
For first-time homebuyer Vanessa Jordan, the post-purchase education she received from Catapult was an eye-opening part of her homeownership journey.
“I learned a bunch of information that was really valuable about how to safeguard my assets,” she shared. “The counselor I had genuinely cared for me and about my situation. It was extremely beneficial learning how this process works.”
A growing demand for knowledge
In March, Catapult hosted a K.E.Y. workshop focused on estate planning, featuring an attorney from the Allegheny County Bar Association. The event drew strong interest, with attendees asking everything from “Should I add my children to the deed?” to “How do I avoid inheritance taxes or capital gains?”
For Duck, it validated the urgency of this work.
“Things are shifting right now in our world and country, and people are nervous about affordability and the future of their families,” she said. “That’s why we’re revving up K.E.Y. so more people know that Catapult is here to support them, every step of the way.”
