A dream years in the making
“You may not believe this, but when we were dreamlining our lives five years ago, the place we most wanted to live was Capitol Hill,” Joel shared. “We said if we had millions of dollars, we would’ve been in Capitol Hill.”
What once felt impossible is becoming reality.
“It was really fortuitous that I read an article about Habitat online… I took the eligibility quiz and was really surprised actually that we met the criteria. That’s what started us on our journey.”
Joel added that Habitat was on their radar even before they applied to the program.
“Believe it or not, before any of this happened, I wanted to do some volunteer work just for fun. Pam and I have volunteered throughout our lives, and I thought Habitat would be a cool place to volunteer. And then I kid you not, a week later, Pam found that article.”
Stability for Dima
For Pamela and Joel, homeownership is about more than having four walls, it’s about giving Dima the best start in life.
Right now, the family is living in Pamela’s parents’ basement. It’s been a safe place to land, and they’re grateful for the support, but it isn’t a long-term solution.
“We’ve both worked our entire lives, but it’s been frustrating that we couldn’t break into the housing market,” Joel shared.
Before moving in with family, they faced the challenges of renting—unpredictable landlords, and apartments where Joel’s severe allergies and asthma made life unbearable. In two cases, they had to move because no-pet or no-smoking policies weren’t enforced.
Owning their own home would mean stability and control over their space, something they’ve never had.
“What we’re looking for is stability, especially now that we have Dima,” said Pamela. “We need a place he can grow up, where we can be part of the community wherever we go.”
For Pamela and Joel, their dream is simple: more than half a basement and some carpet. They want Dima to have his own room, space to play, and the chance to grow up with stability and opportunity.
Choosing community
Community is at the heart of this family. Joel and Dima shovel for neighbours in the winter, Pamela serves on her workplace Diversity Committee, and both parents value being rooted in one place long enough to build lasting relationships.
“We like being part of the community. I’m really social, so it is really nice,” Joel said. “If we can have a place where we can be stable for maybe a decade or two, it would be fantastic for us.”
Habitat stood out to them because of the way it combines homeownership with volunteerism.
“I feel like the way Habitat is set up, it gives us an opportunity to contribute,” Joel shared. “Habitat grants us a lot of dignity by allowing us to do that.”
A life-changing opportunity
For Pamela and Joel, becoming Habitat homeowners feels almost unreal.
“For our family, this really is winning the lottery. That’s exactly how it feels,” Joel said.
Pamela agreed, “My worry before we applied was that we’d never be able to afford a home. Despite our best efforts to save, prices kept going up. Habitat gives us hope for our future.”
With their new home in Capitol Hill, Pamela and Joel can finally focus on what matters most: raising Dima in a safe, stable home where their family can grow, contribute, and belong.
