a home is a stabilizing force for a family.

“Having my own home will give me independence from living in public housing” from Kea’s application letter

Kea is a strong, hard working, single mom who put herself through college while raising her son and working a full time job.  Finding affordable housing was extremely difficult for her on her salary and she wasn’t able to take on another job because she was getting her college degree.  Kea and her son were living in an apartment for several years while trying to find another housing alternative.  Day after day, they would wake to the neighbor’s arguing and hear everything because the walls were so thin.  It was hard to study too.  One day her neighbor was arrested in front of her apartment and that was the pivotal moment when she knew she had to move.  She wanted to feel safe and to provide a better atmosphere for her son to grow up in.  Kea’s mother told her to apply to Habitat.  She is so grateful for the opportunity because she was able to purchase a two bedroom home in the same neighborhood where her best friend lives.

Kea is now able to provide her son with security because they live in their own home in a safe neighborhood.  She now has peace of mind and stability that affordable homeownership offer with the knowledge and skills to provide for her and her son well into the future.

“The financial classes taught me so much about money management and how to be responsible with my money, how to save and invest.”  Kea K.

Future Homeowners: The Sausedo-Flores Family

The Sausedo-Flores family currently live in a two bedroom mobile home that is falling apart despite their best efforts to fix things.  Anna is a stay at home mom and Rigo works construction.  They have four children (3 girls, 1 boy). When the weather is good Rigo has plenty of work but when the weather is bad he rarely does.  Rigo has used that time to make repairs on their current home but even with repairs and new windows they still have mold/mildew issues and are extremely overcrowded in their tiny home.  Anna’s sister works for a greenhouse and she had seen others benefit from Habitat in Charlotte so she recommended us to Anna.  Anna and Rigo are almost finished with their 250 sweat equity hours (per adult), which many have been on their own house.  They will have a mortgage they can afford for a brand new home they can call their own.  The oldest daughter, who is artistic has never had her own room before and is excited to paint flowers on her walls.

“When I first brought my kids to the site where the house was being built I was overwhelmed with such gratitude.  We are blessed.  I pray every night and thank God.”  Anna L.F.