Martha and her family arrived on a freezing March day for her home dedication in the Eastfield neighborhood. Despite the chill in the air, her new home was filled with nothing but warmth, love, and community as she was handed the keys to her Habitat home.
Martha is the second homeowner in the Eastfield Neighborhood, but this is her family’s first time having a stable and affordable place to live. Born in Sudan, Martha fled to Ethiopia as a refugee, settling in Michigan in 2001. Martha aspired to the American Dream: owning a home where her young family could flourish.
The reality was that Martha had to build her income and credit from scratch in a new country. Meanwhile, she was raising a growing family, forcing financial sacrifices. They lived in low-income housing with rent fluctuating with her income, leaving little room to save for their forever home. Their small apartment had shared rooms, a bedroom in a flood-prone basement, and a single bathroom.
Martha learned about Habitat for Humanity, and she worked hard for nearly 20 years to solidify her financials. “Since 2007, it has been my dream to work with Habitat,” she said.
Martha closes on her Habitat home this spring. She and her family are excited to “grow financially and plant roots in a community that we love. We own a house”
Martha’s house is a foundation for new memories, a chance to support family abroad, and a place she and her children can finally call home.
This house is a Habitat Capital Region rehabilitation project, donated by University of Michigan Health-Sparrow.
