For many families across Washington state, the dream of homeownership has often felt just out of reach. Rising housing costs, intense bidding wars, and limited access to resources have created barriers, particularly for middle-class families who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs. But for Brishawna Macklin and her husband, the Covenant Homeownership Program offered both hope and opportunity.
The Covenant Homeownership Program has become a point of access for many families, aiming to repair the legacy of discrimination that once excluded Black families from homeownership. For Macklin, learning about the program came through a personal connection. “My husband’s aunt mentioned the covenant program and shared that she was currently doing it and we should just try to see if we would qualify and if we’re willing to move out to Pierce County then we should try to do that work,” she recalled. After applying, the couple qualified and began their search.
The journey wasn’t without challenges. In 2023, the Macklins felt ready to buy, but medical expenses for their eldest son delayed their plans. By 2024, they were back on track and committed to the process – even if it meant touring nearly 80 open houses. “I would tell everyone to just honestly keep an open mind because unless you are pretty well off, they’re likely getting the perfect house just isn’t exactly likely,” Macklin explained. “We gave ourselves grace and stayed firm on our budget. If it was meant for us, it was going to be for us.” That patience paid off. The couple ultimately purchased a three-bedroom home close to their sons’ school and within their financial limits.
The Macklins, like many others in America, reflect a reality faced by many – even with stable employment and good jobs, the goal of homeownership remains out of reach for countless families without the support of programs that help bridge the gap. In an increasingly aggressive housing market, many are left stuck between renting and buying in a landscape where opportunity gaps are both real and deeply felt. Too often, doing all the “right” things – working hard, building careers, and saving carefully – still does not guarantee access to wealth-building opportunities like homeownership. What is underscored is a widening class divide, where the milestone of owning a home remains elusive despite families’ best efforts, and where the realities of capitalism often fail to serve the whole.
The program’s requirements involve verifying ancestral ties to Washington, something Macklin and her husband carefully navigated. “Exactly yeah as long as one person in a relationship has roots here we are you’re good to go,” she said, noting that documentation like birth and death certificates are needed to prove eligibility. For them, it was her husband’s maternal lineage that helped qualify their family for assistance.
Beyond the purchase, homeownership represents something far deeper: stability, legacy, and the chance to build generational wealth. Macklin reflected on her childhood in apartments and contrasted it with her children’s new reality. “We want to give them that yard, that space, and the permanence of knowing this is their forever home,” she said. The homebuying journey also provided a template for Macklin’s sons to see and learn firsthand how planning and intentional research can turn a family goal into reality – whether it was painting their own rooms or understanding why their parents were determined to move beyond apartment living.
The impact of the Covenant Program didn’t stop with the keys to a new home. Inspired by the process, Macklin and her realtor are now working toward launching a nonprofit to educate other families about homeownership. She believes trust and relatability are crucial in spreading the word. She aims to become a trusted messenger and educator in this process of connecting people to new information and opportunity.
For Macklin and her family, the Covenant Homeownership Program is more than financial assistance – it’s a lifeline to stability, equity, and the chance to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
“This isn’t just for wealthy families – it’s for middle-class people with kids and responsibilities, too.”