Christina thought about being a homeowner for eight years — as long as she has been renting — but the idea of being her own landlord was too daunting. “I’m a single mom of three, and I thought it would be a lot to handle.” One day while at her job, Christina was intrigued by a flyer she saw about Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Indiana’s homeownership program. A co-worker who was already in the program strongly encouraged her to apply. She did, and Christina was approved.

In March 2020, as the COVID pandemic was at its peak, Misty and her 6-year-old son were scrambling to find a safe place to shelter in their trailer in Lebanon, Tennessee, as a tornado passed overhead. They found themselves seeking shelter from a tornado again in 2021. Frantic for a better place to live, she searched the housing market and discovered that she couldn’t afford a traditional mortgage. 

By increasing access to adequate housing in informal settlements, the Home Equals campaign improves health, increases safety and security, and creates a brighter future for individuals and communities.

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Tapping into local knowledge and expertise, an innovative construction product in an informal settlement in Kibera creates safer, more affordable homes.

LaShon and Jerry applied to the Habitat program in 2019 and following hundreds of hours of their own “sweat equity” alongside volunteers and Habitat for Humanity staff, they moved into their new home last year. She says her new home is a blessing. “It provides stability. It’s an opportunity to show the children that they can do it too — have a good home for their own families one day.”

Miriam couldn’t believe this was the second time a landlord had sold a house out from under her, uprooting Miriam and her three children. Miriam applied to Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County’s homeownership program in 2019 and was approved. Homeownership has made a big difference in the family’s lives. “This is our house,” Miriam says. “We love it and we’re not moving anymore. I don’t have to worry about someone selling the house. It’s a great feeling.”

Jermonte realized the importance of having a safe, decent home of his own when it was time to bring his three-month-old daughter, Allison, home from the hospital. Allison was born prematurely at 23 weeks and weighed just one pound, three ounces at birth.

To help address the affordable housing crisis in Canada, Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin teamed up with Whirlpool Corp. and launched its distinctive Tiny Home pilot program. Habitat HMD partnered with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Habitat Grey Bruce, to establish affordable housing options for Indigenous community members and created the Indigenous Housing Partnership.