12 years into owning her neat, modest north Omaha home, she’s very thankful. Homeownership brought her the stability and long-term security she sought for herself and her children, Kylen, 14 and Kylia, 4.
Homeowner Stories
Finding Their Forever Home: Ma Thu Sa and San Aungs
Ma Thu Sa and San Aung’s journey to their Habitat Omaha home started 8,339 miles away in a refugee camp in Thailand. According to the United Nations Office, in 2014, there were 111,000 Karen refugees looking for new opportunities.
Athena’s Story – Veteran Home Repair Program
Athena served in the Army as an all-wheel mechanic in 2001 before being medically discharged in 2003. While she was still living on a military post in Louisiana, she purchased a home sight unseen in Omaha, Nebraska.
Tony’s Story – Veteran Repair Program
Anthony, who goes by Tony, is a Marine Corps veteran who served as a radio operator from 1990 to 1994. Unfortunately, his service left him with a 100% disabled rating, with cardiomyopathy and asthma. These issues and other health concerns have made it difficult for him to find work to accommodate his disabilities.
Aaron’s Story – Veterans Repair Program
Aaron served in the Air Force National Guard as a services craftsman, with a unique range of duties that included food service, mortuary affairs, fitness, and ensuring the general morale and welfare of the troops. Once Aaron was brought on active duty, he served full time in mortuary affairs, working with the deceased in Iraq.
Debra and Kenneth’s Story – Veteran Home Repair Program
Debbie and her husband, Kenny, are both veterans. Debbie served in the Air Force, and Kenny served in the Marines. Though they met in fifth grade, they went their separate ways before reuniting and marrying in 1998.
Tami’s Story – Veteran Home Repair Program
Tami started her career in the Army National Guard in Oregon and was trained as a material control and accounting technician. While serving in the Guard, she was activated for duty in support of Operation Desert Storm. Her primary responsibility was to prepare units for deployment into the Middle East. Upon ending her service, Tami worked administrative jobs in retail and insurance. For the past 15 years, she has worked as a support clerk for a global risk services firm.
A Faithful Journey to Homeownership, Jamila’s Story
Living in an apartment for six years was not ideal for Jamila and her family. Their apartment did not fit their needs, but they made it work. Jamila knew she had goals she wanted to accomplish in 2021. One of those goals was to become a homeowner.
Homeowner Spotlight: Meet Mia, a published author of children’s books
After learning her daughter’s classmates were making comments about her appearance, Mia decided to write a book to encourage all girls to love and accept themselves and each other.
Family affected by flood ready to start a new chapter
In 2019, Nikki and her three boys were living in Paradise Lakes when water from the nearby Missouri River flooded the Bellevue park, damaging all 195 mobile homes.