Lansing father reclaims his independence and financial stability through Habitat for Humanity Capital Region’s Homeownership Program. Homeownership gives De’Angelo and his two sons the foundation they need to build a safe and stable future.
But De’Angelo didn’t buy just any house.
The house that Habitat Capital Region acquired to rehab with and sell to De’Angelo is, by complete chance, the house directly next door to his grandma’s house. This is a life changing opportunity for De’Angelo. Now, he has the unique opportunity to support his grandmother more than ever and to return some of the love and care she has shown him his whole life.
About De'Angelo
De’Angelo was raised by a single mother and saw her struggle to provide a stable environment for her kids. Then, when he was 12 years old, he went to live with his grandparents in a quiet neighborhood in Lansing. He lived there through high school.
After he left his grandparents’ home, he worked hard to get an education while raising his sons. Then, a couple of years ago, De’Angelo got divorced and was in the difficult position of asking his grandma to move in with her again. This time with his two young boys. She luckily owns bunk beds for the boys, but De’Angelo slept on the couch.
At the start of the pandemic, De’Angelo applied and was accepted into Habitat Capital Region’s program to buy an affordable home. He started attending financial readiness classes and working on his sweat equity while waiting to be matched to a Habitat house.
The House Next Door
When De'Angelo was called with the opportunity to purchase the house next door to the house he grew up in, he couldn’t believe it. He remembers playing in the basement of the house with his neighbor friends. “My grandma is more excited than anything,” about having them as neighbors, he said.
Reality started to sink in for him when he started completing sweat equity hours at the house. The hours of time that he invested there did more than just help him learn new building and repair skills. He also built pride and a sense of ownership in his new home.
Now, De’Angelo and his sons all have bedrooms and space to work, grow, and play together. They are especially excited to enjoy their big backyard and help grandma age in place. For example, De’Angelo’s oldest son, Jaedyn, mows her lawn. Also, his younger son, Jordan, can help his “nanna” bring in the mail so she won’t have to walk to the mailbox with her cane.
“I can give my sons the life I never had. I want to give them a home where they can grow up and feel safe,” he said.
De’Angelo and his two sons, Jaedyn & Jordan, arrive at their Home Dedication ceremony in January, 2023.
Partnership with Lansing Housing Commission
This success story would not be complete without mentioning the innovative partnership between Habitat Capital Region and Lansing Housing Commission (LHC) that made it all possible. Habitat Capital Region is rehabbing several homes that are currently owned by LHC to sell to qualified, low- to moderate-income Habitat homebuyers like De’Angelo. Through this partnership, single-family homes in the City of Lansing will be preserved for affordable homeownership.
LHC is helping to reduce the costs typically associated with a Habitat homeownership project and house acquisition. Now, Habitat Capital Region can more quickly serve people in need of a decent place to live. De’Angelo’s is the second home being rehabbed and sold through this partnership.
De’Angelo closed on his home at the end of January.
