A Place to Call Their Own

A Place to Call Their Own

A father of three, Billy has longed dreamed of owning a home, something he could one day pass down to his children.

Years ago, he watched a friend buy a home, which inspired Billy to start chasing his own dream of homeownership. He began working on his credit and later saw his cousin purchase a home through Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program. 

When he was ready, he came straight to Habitat and applied for the program. Now, he is building a three-bedroom home for his family.

“I can leave something to my kids,” Billy said. “It’s a dream really, something that’s mine.”

As part of the program, Billy will complete sweat equity hours, Habitat’s unique alternative to a traditional down payment. These hours are spent on the build site helping construct homes or volunteering in our Habitat ReStores. Billy is excited to roll up his sleeves and get involved. 

“I can learn some carpentry,” Billy said. “I like learning new things; I like challenges…The aspect of actually helping build it, that’s exciting to me.” 

Because Milwaukee Habitat builds and sells brand-new homes, Billy will watch his house take shape from the ground up.

“Normally you buy a house and it’s already done when you go the traditional way,” Billy said. “In this program you see it come to light. I like that aspect of it.”

As Billy and his children watch their home being built, he hopes that someday he can pass it down to them.

“Hopefully they want to stay here because they grew up here,” Billy said. “It’s something stable to call home. They will have their own space.”

Now that Billy is working through Milwaukee Habitat’s program, he is encouraging others to take the same step.

“My cousin came through the program and told me to try,” Billy said. “Now I’m the one telling people to try. The young people at my job said they’d put applications in. I’m spreading the word about homeownership.”

Billy knows his dream is close to becoming a reality and that soon, he will move his family into a home that is truly theirs. 

“It’s going to mean the world,” Billy said. “It’s an accomplishment, a big accomplishment. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of.”