Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- setback / ˈsɛtˌbæk / (n.) – a problem or difficulty that delays progress or makes things harder to do
Example:The company faced setbacks in production, but they managed to recover quickly.
- woe / woʊ / (n.) – serious problems or difficulties
Example:The country’s economic woes were made worse by the global pandemic.
- generational / ˌdʒen əˈreɪ ʃən əl / (adj.) – relating to a particular generation or members of a family
Example:The festival celebrates generational traditions passed down through families.
- aspiring / əˈspaɪər ɪŋ / (adj.) – having a strong desire to achieve or be successful in something, such as a career or activity
Example:The workshop provides guidance for aspiring leaders in the corporate world.
- troubling / ˈtrʌb əl ɪŋ / (adj.) – causing worry or concern
Example:The troubling news about the school’s budget cuts worried many parents and teachers.
Article
Read the text below.
Two years after buying her first home at age 62, Julieta Lopez still wells up with tears as she recounts her 30-year struggle for homeownership in Boston.
“I can’t believe… I wake up, I’m like, ‘this is mine. I did it. I finally did it,’” she says, her voice breaking with emotion. “These are happy tears because I did it.”
That emotional milestone marks the end of a journey that required overcoming major personal setbacks and a housing market that increasingly puts the American dream out of reach for many first-time buyers.
“It’s taken me 30 years. I’ve gone through illness, financial woes, but it was worth it,” Lopez says. “Get you a piece of the pie. Build your generational wealth. Be your own landlord.”
Now almost 64, Lopez secured her home by tapping into resources for first-time homebuyers. “I was able to buy it through my savings, a program through the city of Boston and a few other first-time home-buying programs,” she explains.
The financial benefits are clear. “My mortgage is $2,100 a month,” Lopez says. “My rent was $2,600 and it was going to go up to $2,900.”
Brian McCabe is a professor of sociology who also teaches a course titled “Understanding Affordable Housing Policy” at Georgetown University. He confirms the growing challenges facing those aspiring to become first-time homeowners.
“Homeownership remains really central to the American dream,” he says. “It’s one of the few issues where everybody, almost everybody agrees–people want to own their own homes.”
McCabe, however, notes a troubling trend: “Those that already have wealth, often already have family or generational wealth, are able to use that to enter the housing market. And so we’re seeing inequality probably deepening over the long term when people aren’t able to enter into homeownership.”
For Lopez, homeownership represents more than financial savings. “It makes me feel empowered,” she says. “It made me feel like I got a part of the American dream.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- What do you think are the biggest challenges people face when trying to buy a home in your country? Are there any government programs that help first-time home buyers? Discuss.
- Lopez was already 62 before she could own her first house. Do you believe it’s better to start saving for or buying a house at an early age or later? Why do you think so? In your opinion, how do housing choices change with different life stages in your country (ex. older people are more likely to buy a house)? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Lopez’s rent was $2,600 and rising, but her mortgage is only $2,100. Do you think renting is a waste of money? Why or why not? How does the cost of renting compare to buying a home in your area? What do you think are the pros and cons of renting? Discuss.
- If you had the choice, would you prefer to rent or buy a home? Why? What would your ideal home be like (ex. near the city, has a backyard)? Discuss.
