2020: Welcoming Our Neighbors Home

At Habitat Omaha, we see how the journey to homeownership transforms the lives of those in our community. Last year, the circumstances made our work more difficult, and at the same time, more essential. Having access to a quality, affordable home meant families were safer, better protected, and more able to keep their distance and stay healthy.

We invite you to get to know some of the homeowners who have built the foundations of their future with Habitat Omaha in the last year. Each journey is a story of resilience and hope.

Claudia

Purchasing a house has always been a goal of Claudia’s. Determined to achieve it, Claudia searched online and came across Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Homeownership Program.

Her family’s new house will provide them with a safe and spacious place to call home, where her children can comfortably complete schoolwork and spend quality time together.

“I want to invest in something that is for my family and me,” Claudia said. “Having our own place means more liberty. I’m happy there’s an organization that helps families throughout this journey.”

Betty

Betty tried many different routes to purchase a house. She was accepted into the programs she applied to but was later told she couldn’t buy a house. It had been a difficult journey, but Betty wasn’t ready to give up on her dream of becoming a homeowner.

“I’m glad that I can have a place for my grandkids to come that’s not an apartment,” she said. “There will be a yard that they can play in; we can grill and have family gatherings.”

Betty says having her own place will make her happier. She encourages others, including her son, to consider buying a house. “It’s a blessing to be able to purchase your own place,” she said. “It’s a great feeling.”

Gabino and Irma

Family means everything to Gabino and Irma. Having three generations living under the same roof brings them joy. It allows Gabino and Irma to spend quality time with their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

“For me, a home is a house where our family can all live together,” Gabino said.

Originally from Mexico, Gabino and Irma lived in Texas before moving to Nebraska. After several years of renting houses and apartments, Gabino and Irma decided it was time to buy a house. When their daughter’s friend told them about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Homeownership Program, they applied with hopes of being able to purchase a home big enough for their whole family.