Empowering hardworking families to obtain homeownership is the mission of the Young Family’s Foundation of Coeur d’Alene. 

That mission was embodied and celebrated Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting acknowledging the Foundation’s first year of existence and fulfillment of the dream of first-time homeownership for Liv and Jonathan Loera. 

“Working with Corina (Larabee) and Pat (Hogan) has just been a lovely experience. From the very first time we met, they were just so welcoming, so warm and wanting to share their vision with us,” Liv said. “We were so excited to be able to partner with them and get their assistance in getting the down payment for our house.” 

The Loeras have six young children. They got involved with the YFF in 2025. 

“The housing market is expensive these days,” Liv said. “So having the organization work alongside us and help bridge that gap, helped us to finally get the home that we have been hoping to get for years.” 

Their dream home is a four-bedroom, two-story house with a fully fenced backyard in Post Falls. 

“We applied to the Panhandle Affordable Housing Association to get one of their homes,” Liv said. “We’re living in a housing development called The Miracle on Britton Street.” 

Patrick Hogan, YFF president and co-founder, spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, emphasizing the challenges new would-be homeowners are facing. 

“There has been a 235% home price increase in the last decade here, and income cannot catch it all, no matter how hard your family works,” Hogan said. “That is why YFF was born. Major problems demand major solutions, and everyone who can needs to be involved.” 

Corina Larabee is a YFF co-founder and executive director. She, too, addressed those gathered in the old chamber building at Fourth and Sherman. 

“A home is more than just a structure — it’s a place where hopes and dreams are built,” she said. “Homeownership builds strong communities — strong futures for all of us. We can help as many families obtain homes as the community is willing to help us.” 

YFF provides financial assistance to those who may not qualify for a home loan because they cannot come up with enough money for a down payment. 

“We work closely with our qualified lenders — the banks are the best vetters,” Larabee said. “Pat often says they know what a family’s true needs are. Those lenders also know our eligibility requirements.” 

Larabee said YFF does have a cap on the funding it can provide and added that most families are only short $2,500 to $5,000. 

Perspective homeowners must fall within a specific income bracket to qualify for YFF services. 

“To be eligible for our program, applicants' income must be within 80% to 120% of the median income in the county where they want to own a home,” Larabee said. 

Once applicants meet the requirements, Larabee said YFF reserves funds with the bank and sends them to closing. 

“Instead of the bank having to say I’m sorry, you don’t qualify — it’s a completely different scenario,” Larabee said. “They’re able to say, congratulations — you’ll soon be in your new home.” 

Info: www.yffidaho.org. 

From left are YFF Executive Director Corina Larabee, new homeowner Liv Loera and YFF President Patrick Hogan. Not pictured is Jonathan Loera.