Staying in the Same Community, Building a New Future
Although for future Habitat homeowner Stephanie and her son, Izayic, their Habitat home will be just a few blocks from where they are currently living, when they move it will change their lives forever.
A First-Ever Opportunity for Affordable Homeownership
The home that Stephanie will be purchasing is, by luck, in the same community they’re currently living in. Stephanie and Izayic are very excited to stay in the same community, go to the same school, and have the same friends. Everything in their lives will stay the same, but their future won’t be.
The affordability and stability of her Habitat mortgage will be brand-new for Stephanie – she has been renting and moving her entire life. “We are going to be the first homeowners in my immediate family, so that’s very exciting.” Both her and her son can’t wait to have a stable home to call theirs for the first time ever.
“I moved around a lot when I was younger and so providing stability for my son is top priority and him being able to stay with the same friend groups and not have to move around to a bunch of different schools is really important and I think it will really positively impact him.”
A Home That Arrived at the Right Time
Her Habitat approval came at the perfect time since she was recently told by her current landlord that he is soon planning on selling the place she and Izayic are currently renting.
A Space to Grow and Make His Own
Izayic is a growing 13-year-old young man and is looking forward to a new room. He can’t wait to have a space he can decorate and make his own, unlike many rentals he has lived in with his mom. He already has plans for painting and hanging posters.
Izayic is also planning the layout of the unfinished basement for when he and his mom move in for him to have his own space as a teenager.
Looking Forward to a Backyard of Their Own
One feature of their Habitat home that both Izayic and Stephanie are looking forward to is the backyard. The family has never had a backyard or outdoor space to call their own since they’ve been renting the same apartment for the past several years.
Turning a Long-Held Dream Into Reality
Thinking forward to what their new home will mean to the family, future homeowner Stephanie says “I really think about comfort and something that is stable and safe. I’m really excited to really make it our own home and decorate and be able to feel accomplished and good within our home.”
Stephanie originally reached out to learn about Habitat’s affordable homeownership program several years ago before her recent application. She didn’t meet the qualification criteria then “so I put it on the backburner but kept it in the back of my mind.”
Stephanie received an email from Habitat letting her know about available properties to purchase and knew that it was time to apply. Then, just like that, she answered the phone and her and Izayic’s lives would never be the same. “The phone call definitely set the tone for the weekend and really for the rest of our lives. I was a bit speechless. I think it took me a little bit to process that we were approved. Just it is such a big deal and I’m so grateful.”
