Following Her Mother’s Footsteps, Janae Builds a Future for Her Family

Following Her Mother’s Footsteps, Janae Builds a Future for Her Family

“Stability is so important to me,” Janae said. “I grew up that way”

When Janae was nine years old, her mother purchased a Habitat home. That house became the foundation for the stability that Janae wants to pass on to her children. 

“My mom still has the house,” Janae said. “She paid off the house and that was important for me. She was able to pay off the home.”

Like her mother, Janae wanted to become a homeowner. However, rising home prices have put homeownership out of reach for many families. Since 1990, home prices in the US have increased six times faster than wages, making it significantly harder for first-time buyers to purchase a home (Source / Source). 

Milwaukee Habitat breaks down these barriers to homeownership for local families earning below the median income. Little to no down payment is required, closing costs are low, and the home loan will not exceed 30% of a family’s income – widely recognized as the threshold for affordable housing.

“It makes sense for me to apply for Habitat because I want that financial freedom,” Janae said. “I will be saving money and be able to do more for my kids.”

Now, Janae is building a brand-new home for her family. Janae is a mother of four boys and works as an educational assistant at Milwaukee College Prep.

“I love kids,” Janae said. “I have a passion for teaching.”

In her free time, Janae loves spending time with her kids. Whether it is a road trip to Lake Geneva, a movie night, or other outings, Janae cherishes this time with her children. And while they love to travel, Janae is most excited to host events in her new home. 

Growing up, Janae’s Habitat house was the gathering place for holidays, parties, and other events. Soon, she can follow in her mother’s footsteps, opening their home to loved ones and special occasions.

“[This house] is going to mean family gatherings, Sunday dinners,” Janae said. “We are big on Sunday dinners, big on holidays. It means that my kids can see that in their home instead of going to somebody else’s house. It’s stability.”

As part of Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program, Janae will complete sweat equity hours, volunteering on the build site and in our Habitat ReStores. She looks forward to the day she can look at her home and feel pride that she helped build it. 

“I’m excited [for the sweat equity].” Janae said. “I want to go through the entire journey. I want to be able to go through it and it be rewarding versus just someone giving it to me. I will be in my Habitat house and say I helped build it. So many hands helped build this. Every step of the way, I want to be grateful.”

One milestone she is looking forward to is the moment she and her children cut the ribbon in front of their new home.

“I’m gonna cry, probably pray, thank God,” Janae said. “Timing is everything. Everything happens for a reason. When we cut the ribbon, we are going to cut it together. They are on this journey with me.”

After they move in, Janae knows that the financial freedom that comes with a Habitat mortgage will allow her to do more with her kids. 

“I’ll be able to travel like I want to,” Janae said. “I want to take my kids to Disney World.” 

With the stability of a Habitat home, Janae is ready to give her children the same foundation she had when she was their age.