A Transformation: Dallas’s Journey from Hardship to Homeownership

A Transformation: Dallas’s Journey from Hardship to Homeownership

After more than 15 years of hard work and perseverance, Dallas is ready to embrace the life she has built and create a stable foundation for the future.

Dallas faced a difficult past, losing her parents at a young age and spending years on the streets. At her lowest point, she lost everything. She was determined never to go back. Through relentless effort and long hours, Dallas turned her life around, provided for her youngest son, and recently took a significant step toward stability by investing in homeownership. This is her story.

A dedicated mother of three adult children and a 10-year-old son, Dallas has spent the past decade and a half going back to school, securing stable employment, and dedicating herself to work, ensuring that her youngest son never has to experience hardship. To provide for him, she works 60+ hours a week, sometimes from 5:30am to 10pm on the same day.

“I lived a life on the streets,” Dallas said. “I lost everything. I’ve been home for a long time and been on the right path, cleaned my life up…My 10-year-old son and my granddaughters are seeing a new version of me as a working mom. I went back to school and I’m trying to show them something different than what my older kids saw… I don’t want them to experience what I experienced before.”

Recently, Dallas was accepted for a loan to purchase a home. She had worked hard to fix her credit and was looking at homes in the area. However, she then heard about Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program and realized it would allow her to work fewer hours, spend more time with her family, and build long-term stability for their future. She applied and is now partnering with Milwaukee Habitat to build and buy a brand-new home.

“This program is going to bring me more time with me and my family,” Dallas said “I can sit down and breathe… I feel like I worked hard to get where I’m at. This is what you get when you do good.”

Employees from Johnson Controls, the sponsor of Dallas’s home, volunteering on site

As home prices continue to rise faster than wages, renters need to make at least $120,000 a year to afford the mortgage on a typical U.S. home. In Milwaukee, the median household income is $51,888 (source). For those earning below that median income, steep down payments and high monthly mortgage costs make investing in homeownership nearly impossible. That’s exactly why Milwaukee Habitat exclusively sells our homes to families earning below the median. No down payment is required and the typical mortgage payment is less than $950/month.

“I can save a lot of money,” Dallas said. “I can relax. I feel like it’s going to be a big investment for me and my family. We will always have somewhere to go…It’s going to be a big thing. It’s always ours. This is ours. This is our home.”

For Dallas, homeownership isn’t just about financial stability in the present; it’s also about securing a legacy for the future.

“I have a fear of losing,” Dallas said. “I want something that’s mine. I want something to pass over to my kids. I’m a mother. If I leave nothing else behind, at least I can leave them my house.”

Her 10-year-old son will be the only one of her children living in the house with her, and Dallas is thrilled she can go on this journey with him.

“I showed him a photo of cutting the ribbon and told him ‘that’s going to be us’,” Dallas said. “This is another chance to be a mother and I will not screw this up.”

Despite not seeing her other children as often, Dallas looks at them with pride.

“They all got jobs,” Dallas said. “My daughter is in school for nursing. They didn’t take the path I took when I was younger. My mother passed when I was 15. I had my daughter at 16. I had to find money to survive. It was totally different then…I have to do right. Now, with [Habitat homeownership], it gives me security… I told my son I’m picking him up from school. He’s excited. I can finally exhale. I will be able to support my son without all of those extra hours.”

As Dallas embraces her new house as a family home, she thinks about her three older children.

“I’m trying to make up and show them I’m not who I used to be,” Dallas said. “I saved up a nice amount. I worked for years. Now, I’m [building] a foundation. My kids can be like ‘wow Mom’. I inspire my kids. They see the change.”

For Dallas, homeownership is also about joy, something she hasn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m ready to now kick my feet up and enjoy life,” Dallas said. “I haven’t enjoyed life. I’ve been steadily making up for things I have done in the past.”

Although it will be difficult for Dallas to walk away from her busy work days, she trusts that homeownership will provide the financial stability and physical stability she has been long chasing.

“I’ve slowed down now,” Dallas said. “At first I was lost, but now I have a plan. Already in the plan now. I’m ready to build. As long as I can get money in every month, I’m okay with that, as long as I know which direction I’m going in…The long hours, early mornings, late days, it paid off.” 

Dallas’s journey has been one of determination, resilience, and transformation. She fought tirelessly to overcome her past, provide for her family, and build a future filled with hope and stability. Now, with the security of homeownership, she is stepping into a new chapter, one filled with stability, comfort, and the ability to be present for her family. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to create change. Soon, Dallas will move into the home she has worked so hard for – her home, her legacy, and her newfound joy.