homebuyer stories

As a family support specialist for a nonprofit organization focusing on providing early childhood education and care services, Ashley understands the importance of a strong home. She works towards homeownership with the intention to lay groundwork for a secure future where she can one day grow her family. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in […]

Priscila is both a dedicated medical assistant and single mother. She finds daily fulfillment in her role at a local Physician Care Center and in looking after her 12- and 4-year-old sons. Priscila says she chose to move to Orlando “in hopes of providing a better life for my children,” and she is excited to […]

Jasmine is an Orlando native and a single mother to a seven-year-old son. She works as an account manager for an insurance company and is completing a master’s degree in risk management and business at Florida State University, which will help her grow in her profession. She also attends church and is an active member […]

Since beginning her homebuyer journey, Carrie Hipps has shown incredible resilience and determination, leading her towards buying her forever home. After going through a divorce in 2023, Carrie, like many others, found it difficult to afford decent housing on her own—even a small apartment was too expensive in Seminole County. Once her divorce was final, […]

Shamika is a hardworking, single mother of five who has always dreamt of owning her own home. Even though common financial struggles and life factors have hindered her from becoming a homeowner, she says she is “praying that this is my opportunity to achieve my goal.” Shamika has lived in Central Florida for ten years, […]

Peter is a hardworking maintenance technician with a passion for fixing things and taking on home improvement projects. He looks forward to the day when he can put those skills to work in a home of his own—customizing and caring for a space that truly reflects who he is. Currently renting in Central Florida, Peter […]

Alexis is a determined individual who dreams of creating a safer, more stable environment for her family. She is a dedicated single mother of four boys, three of whom are grown and out on their own. Working full-time in early childhood education, Alexis is known for her compassion and commitment to both her own family […]

A Sanford native and proud mother of four grown children, Chanta has dedicated her life to supporting others, both personally and professionally. She currently works in the healthcare field, helping people navigate important services and support systems. Like many in Central Florida, Chanta has experienced the challenges of finding stable and affordable housing in recent […]

After learning about Habitat’s homebuyer program from her aunt, Brayahna worked with Habitat Seminole-Apopka’s HUD certified councilor to meet the financial standards for the program, beginning her journey towards homeownership. Brayahna is a client processor at a global financial services corporation, and a single mother to a nine-year-old son. Brayahna and her son lived in […]

Lacie is a strong and determined single mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She currently works at a women’s health facility as a benefits coordinator and has recently made the brave decision to leave a relationship for the betterment of herself and her daughter. Now living with her parents and siblings in a rented home, she […]

Growing up in a large family in Oviedo, Jaylon has always found joy in family life. When he met his now adopted son Micah, he felt a call to provide him with the love and security he deserves. Previously, Jaylon worked in education with the public school system, but after realizing his passion for helping […]

Betzaida is a proud single mother of two children. Her daughter is a beautiful and intelligent high-school student, and her son serves the United States of America in the Marine Corps. Betzaida currently works as a Helpline Intake Specialist at a legal services firm. For Betzaida, home ownership represents security, safety, and peace of mind. […]

Victor is a dedicated and devoted single father of two beautiful daughters, the youngest being a college student. Determined to provide a safe and stable for his family, Victor sought out Habitat for Humanity to help him achieve his dream future. Since relocating from Puerto Rico to Orlando, Victor has been working tirelessly, holding two […]

Kashima is a loving mother, enthusiastic employee, and hardworking woman driven to learn new skills, advance at work, and provide for her daughter. She was a teen mom to her now-24- year-old son and is divorced. On her own at 18, Kashima worked at a big box store. She married and had a daughter. Moving […]

Jackie grew up in Puerto Rico in a “little town with a BIG family.” She came to Orlando for a better life, began to work at Burger King and lived with her aunt. Leaving the nest, she married, rented a home and had a daughter. They split after a year and Jackie and baby moved […]

Jameca dreamed of a home of her own and financial stability, something her family didn’t have as she was growing up. Going to a Work Force school, she was able to get her schooling and have a job at the same time and moved out on her own at 18. She learned she had to […]

Felicia and Kolby are a hardworking couple with an active three-year-old son. Felicia works in customer service for a roadside assistance company and aspires for a corporate position. Kolby is a pharmacy technician and aspires to turn his love of music production into a career. Felicia follows in her mother’s footsteps in her work ethic. […]

When Taylor tells her story, the words strength, survival and miracle come to mind. She was 13-years old when her father died, her mother fell apart and took to the streets, and her older sister ran away with a boyfriend. Taylor and her two younger brothers, 10 and 3, ended up in foster care for […]

The nomadic lifestyle of growing up with parents in the military, and no real sense of “home,” seems to have followed Calesha into adulthood as a mom of two daughters. After a job transfer from Ohio to Tampa, she got hurt and had to depend on a short-term disability of half her income until she […]

“Mom, when are we going to stop moving?” asks Devora’s 12-year-old son. “We’re moving every year!” Devora has tried to explain to her three children that she can only rent where she can afford. Unfortunately, those places have been full of mold…and even bats! Trying to escape those unhealthy environments, as well as the rising […]

Angel grew up in Apopka, with dreams of going to college; working with disabled children; and owning her own home for family gatherings, Sunday dinners, and children playing. But her life took a different turn. She got in with the wrong crowd, spent years involved in the drug culture, and had her first child at […]

Keila and her seven-year-old daughter Yanely paint a picture of mother and child with no worries as they sit on the steps of their apartment building. But when the little one wants to run and play, Keila won’t let her venture more than a few steps for fear of the kids in their neighborhood. That’s […]

Sandra left South Florida and her marriage about eight years ago and moved to Orlando. Things were going well until the daycare where she worked closed, her rent more-than-doubled, and her car became undrivable. Her only recourse was to live with a colleague and depend on a friend to drive her back and forth to […]

LaTonya is an Apopka woman, through and through! She grew up in Apopka, lives there now, and is thrilled to be buying her forever home right there. Her son, Cameran, will graduate from Apopka High School this spring and won’t have to go far in his cap and gown. LaTonya works hard for Orange County […]