Andrew and his partner moved to Ripley Gardens in 2014. It was their very first home together, the place where they learned what it meant to build a life side by side. What drew Andrew in was Aeon’s commitment to mixed-income housing, a value that made Ripley Gardens feel both welcoming and grounded in community.
They spent four years in their Aeon home, moving out in 2018. During that time, having a stable and affordable place to live played a meaningful role in their early adulthood. As two people in their 20s, they were relieved to find a home that didn’t drain them financially. Instead, it gave them space to learn, grow, and plan. They began setting spending limits, creating a household budget, and gaining confidence in managing responsibilities like utilities, all within a supportive community environment.
That stability made an impact on every part of their lives. With less financial strain, they could focus on work, health, and building a solid foundation for their future. What they didn’t expect was how much it would open the door to a milestone they once thought was out of reach: homeownership.
After graduating college during the Great Recession, Andrew and his partner were hesitant, even skeptical, about buying a home. But their time at Aeon shifted that mindset. Managing rent and utilities in a sustainable way showed them they were capable. “It helped us realize we could afford something beyond rentals,” Andrew shared. “It took a lot of the fear and hesitation out of homeownership.”
In 2018, shortly after leaving Ripley Gardens, Andrew and his partner purchased their first home — a milestone built on the stability they developed during their years with Aeon.
As we mark Aeon’s 40th anniversary, stories like Andrew’s remind us that affordable housing doesn’t just provide a place to live. It creates pathways — to stability, confidence, and opportunities that shape the rest of a person’s life.
