The Habitat Homeowner Bond

The Habitat Homeowner Bond

The journey to Habitat homeownership requires discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. It is an experience unique to the Habitat program and one that only Habitat homeowners understand.

Because of this, the relationship between Habitat homeowners is special. Sometimes, like for Chelmicia and Colette, the connection begins before the homeownership journey.

Chelmicia moved into her Habitat home in December of 2023. Habitat staff, family, friends, and supporters gathered outside her home to celebrate. 

Fellow Habitat homeowner, Colette, joined the celebration. 

Chelmicia and Colette have a unique bond, as Colette was the one who told Chelmicia she should apply for a Habitat home while at work.

At Chelmicia’s home dedication celebration, Colette shared their story:

Chelmicia came to my desk, because I work the front desk, and said ‘how did you do that? How did you get a house?’

I said you can do it too. All you have to do is discipline yourself and do what you need to do and you will succeed. 

She came to my desk every day and said ‘Colette, they asked me for this. Colette, they asked me for that.’ 

I walked her through every step and I told her I would be there. That was my promise to her and that’s what I did. 

I’m proud of you because I told you all you have to do is discipline yourself and if it’s a goal that you want, you will make sure that you get it. And you did that. You did that. You changed schedules and all kinds of stuff to succeed and look at you now. 

The best is yet to come. I want to encourage you to keep going. Whatever it is you want to do, you can do it. We can do it. So now, pull somebody else up.

Near the end of the celebration, Chelmicia was given a chance to share her experience and thoughts on her new home. She looked around at the crowd, pointed at Colette, and enthusiastically said:

I love it! I love ya’ll! All of ya’ll. Thank ya’ll. Thank you everybody for everything.