Freedom Starts at Home

Freedom Starts at Home

At 12 years old, Farhiya came to the United States after migrating from Somalia to Kenya and then to Kentucky. 

While in Kentucky, her family lived in low-income housing in a large five-bedroom home. After living there for a while, they relocated to Milwaukee and continued renting.

Milwaukee is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis where one in three renters are spending half or more of their income on housing. To make matters worse, home prices have more than doubled in the past decade (source).

Now, in partnership with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Farhiya is on her way to becoming the first in her family to own a home. Farhiya has four children and wants a place for her kids to feel comfortable and play freely.

“When I became a single mom paying rent, all the responsibility became on me,” Farhiya said. “I needed to invest in a home.”

After a friend at work told her about Milwaukee Habitat, Farhiya applied. Today, she is building a brand-new home for herself and her children.

“When I moved here, I knew one day I would buy a house but I didn’t know when,” Farhiya said. “The thought of my money and savings never made me want to look. I didn’t have the money so I didn’t go look. But it was always in the back of my head that one day I’m going to own a home. I wouldn’t have known about the program if it weren’t for him. That’s what I told him. He said ‘don’t give up. Push yourself.”

Farhiya is one of many renters whose dream of homeownership feels out of reach. Ninety-two percent of renters average just $1500 in savings, making a down payment on their first home nearly impossible (source). Through Milwaukee Habitat’s program, we make homeownership affordable with little-to-no down payment and an average mortgage payment of less than $950/month.

“I get to put rent toward a house I am going to own,” Farhiya said. “I’m putting money back into my own space. It is an investment for my kids. As they get older, they don’t have to worry about moving and paying rent. It’s their home now.”

For Farhiya, owning a home means stability and opportunity, not only for the future but for the everyday moments her children will finally get to enjoy.

“I want them to be free in their own home,” Farhiya said. “I don’t have to tell them to do this or not do this. They can run around free and safely without thinking they are being a burden. They can be comfortable in their own little space. They can be in the backyard as long as they want. They can have all their toys everywhere. Just be free. Just do as they please.”

Through stories she has seen online and heard from her friend, Farhiya understands the benefits Habitat homeownership provides.

“Right now as a single mom, with my income, hearing family stories, hearing about kids’ development, and helping improve where others raised kids, Habitat helps build up neighborhoods,” Farhiya said. “It’s a growing community and I’ve heard all the positive feedback on how easy the process is. That’s why I was like this is really cool. It is a team of people who want to help people like me and others that want a home. This is for me and this is what I need.”

Farhiya is no stranger to long journeys. From crossing continents as a child to building a foundation for her own family today, she is ready to take the final step in her journey toward homeownership and move into the home she has worked so hard for. 

“This house will mean we have accomplished part of our life,” Farhiya said. “Buying a home is a journey. This is a journey we are completing. It is part of an accomplishment through our life.”