Generational Groundbreakers: A Tale of Two Homes

Generational Groundbreakers: A Tale of Two Homes

In what may be a first at Milwaukee Habitat, a grandmother and granddaughter were each approved to purchase a home at the exact same time. Charmaine and her grandmother Clara share a lot in common when it comes to housing.

For a period of Charmaine’s life, she lived with her grandmother. More recently, after Clara’s husband passed away, Clara downsized to an apartment. Wanting to still be close by, Charmaine rented an apartment in the same building. However, they’re both concerned about the safety and maintenance of the property.

“There’s trash in the hallway. Blood in the hallway,” says Charmaine. “I don’t want my kids to see that and I don’t want my grandma to either.”

Charmaine has three children. Due to space constraints, currently her 6 year old son and 11 year old daughter share a room – something she’s excited to remedy by purchasing this Habitat home. The four-bedroom home in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood will mean all of her children have their own rooms.

She hopes that as they grow up, her children will find inspiration in this home.

“I feel like this investment is for me and my children,” says Charmaine. “I want them to know that if I can do it, you can do it. If you’re willing to pay for an apartment, you can take that money and invest in yourself.”

The home that Charmaine is purchasing is about five blocks away from the home her grandmother, Clara, is buying. Being in the same neighborhood means they’ll still be able to easily spend time with each other.

Charmaine loves to cook and can’t wait to outfit her yard with a BBQ grill. She’s also looking forward to planting flowers around the house.