Continuing the Tradition

Continuing the Tradition

Raised by female homeowners, Aundrea is determined to be part of that legacy. Her mother has owned her home for almost 20 years and her grandmother owned multiple properties.

“I always wanted to own a piece of something,” Aundrea said. “I wanted to have something that was mine. That was a really big thing, a tradition.”

Experiencing the benefits of homeownership from a young age, Aundrea wants to provide the same for her son. Aundrea’s son is autistic, and through her experience as a mother, as well as working and volunteering in a special education program at Milwaukee Public Schools, she has become intimately familiar with what can improve the quality of life for her son and other children. 

“Stability is good for him overtime,” Aundrea said. “I’ve always wanted a safe space for him to flourish and become his best self.”

Now, through Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership program, Aundrea is building a brand-new, three-bedroom home for her and her son. 

“I feel accomplished because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” Aundrea said. 

Before applying to Milwaukee Habitat’s program, Aundrea explored the traditional housing market. She prequalified for a loan and met with a real estate agent, but found that purchasing a home in the traditional way would require significant compromises. Aundrea would either have to live in a neighborhood she didn’t want to live in or buy an older house that needs costly repairs. After learning more about Milwaukee Habitat’s program, she felt like it was the right fit.

“When I weighed my options, I didn’t have any cons [for the Habitat program],” Aundrea said. “The neighborhood [where my Habitat home will be] is not far from where I’ve lived. I grew up in this area. I didn’t want to go to a different side of town. If I’m going to buy a house, I at least want to buy where I know.”

This home will allow Aundrea to create a safe and stable place for her son to thrive. Because he loves being active outdoors, the winter months can be difficult. In this new home, Aundrea will have a large basement where she plans to create a year-round space for her son to move and play.

“That’s the biggest part I am excited about,” Aundrea said. “I can dedicate a large amount of space and he can do whatever he wants even in the dead of winter.”

Her new home is also just down the street from her son’s school, ensuring that he won’t need to change schools. 

“That is a sign,” Aundrea said. “His school is so amazing and now he can stay there.”

As her closing day approaches, Aundrea knows that this purchase will be life-changing.

“This house will mean that he’ll be able to flourish because I won’t have to dedicate so much time and energy into renting or trying to figure out how I’m going to have space for him that’s really ours,” Aundrea said. “That mental load is being lifted and I can fully focus on my son and his development. We will be in our own home and no one can kick us out. We will feel safe.”

Just as Aundrea’s mother and grandmother did before her, Aundrea is providing a safe and stable place for her child to grow and thrive, a lifelong dream now coming true.