A Grandmother’s Goal of Homeownership

A Grandmother’s Goal of Homeownership

As someone who has spent their whole life in rental properties, Angela is now searching for a home she can truly call her own.

Angela has worked for Milwaukee Public Schools for nearly 30 years. She began her career in an elementary school before moving to the school board and specialized services. She has been in her current role for 18 years and plans to retire there. 

With stability in her career, Angela wants stability for other areas of her life. She applied to Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program in hopes of building and purchasing an affordable place for her family.

Angela lives with her 10-year-old grandson and wants to give him a place to enjoy all his hobbies and grow up in a comfortable, secure space.

“Right now, he’s into his video games,” Angela said. “He also likes football and basketball in warmer weather. He’s pretty much a quiet kid and keeps to himself. He’s fine being alone in his room in front of a video game.”

Employees from Masterlock, the sponsor of Angela’s home, volunteering on site

When Angela’s application was accepted, it motivated her even more to reach her goal of homeownership.

“When my application was accepted, it just pushed me a little more to get through this process,” Angela said. “The more I started getting emails, I worked harder to get where I am at this point.”

Her grandson doesn’t know about the program yet, but Angela is confident that it will make a big difference in his life.

“I think it’ll mean a whole lot to him,” Angela said. “Once we get moved in and he knows it’s ours, it’ll be a little different for him…I think he’ll be really happy.”

For Angela, homeownership means having a place that is truly hers and something to pass down to her family.

“It’s the satisfaction of being in my own home, and just calling it my own,” Angela said. “There is nothing like having your own and being able to leave something for someone at some point in time.”

Beyond that, Angela is looking forward to the Habitat process and the clarity of each step along the way. 

“I feel like it’s an easy process,” Angela said. “You complete the application, submit the information that is asked, and do the sweat equity hours. Then you create a plan for yourself to get through the hours until it’s closing. There’s not a lot of mind boggling thoughts; you’re not having to go through a lot of different banks… I’m excited to get started. I’m already asking how soon I can get started with the sweat equity hours.”

Now that Angela is building a home for herself and her grandson, she looks forward to the opportunities ahead.

“I want to retire in the next few years,” Angela said. “I want me and my grandson to just enjoy the rest of the life I have on this side of the earth. We will do some planning of trips. He’s never been to Disney World so I plan to take him on a Disney World trip. I think he’ll enjoy it. We want to do trips outside the state.”

With a home of her own just a few months away, Angela is building more than walls. She is building a future filled with stability, joy, and new adventures for herself and her grandson.