For Habitat homebuyer Kenya, buying a home through Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity is everything. “It’s everyone’s dream to have their own home,” Kenya said.
Originally from the Bronx, New York, Kenya and her family moved to the area in 2015. The following year, she began a career at LGH while she went to school to become a certified medical assistant.
After leaving an unhealthy living situation in 2020, Kenya found herself looking for a place to live with her children. She applied for homes and rental units but was consistently met with rejection. With nowhere else to go, she moved in with her mother and other family members in 2021. The small townhouse was crowded, and Kenya dreamed of having her own space for her and her children. “I wanted to give my kids what I didn’t have,” Kenya said.
Determined to find a place of their own, Kenya started checking Habitat for Humanity’s website daily to see when applications would open. Finally, the day Kenya waited for arrived and she immediately applied to be a Habitat homeowner. When Kenya found out she was accepted to the program, she said it was like a breath of fresh air. “As a single parent, you always feel like your back is up against the wall and no one wants to help open doors,” she explained. “Finally, somebody is trying to help me.”
After completing 100 sweat equity hours at the Lancaster ReStore, Kenya was matched with a Habitat home in June 2023. The construction team and a band of volunteers started construction in the winter of 2023. After months of hard work and dedication, Kenya’s home will officially be completed in June of this year. Kenya is most looking forward to relaxing in her new home and feeling the satisfaction of having helped to build it. She is also eager and excited to help others as her monthly payments will directly help build homes for those who’ve shared similar struggles.
Prior to becoming a Habitat homebuyer, Kenya felt as though she was “constantly running into brick walls.” No matter how hard she worked, Kenya couldn’t get to where she wanted to be. Habitat for Humanity has helped Kenya overcome the obstacle of finding affordable housing and opened the door to a better future for her and her children. “To have built something from nothing and be able to call it mine…it means everything,” Kenya emphasized.
Kenya’s home dedication will take place on June 1st in the SoWe neighborhood in Lancaster. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the family’s achievement of homeownership!
Please RSVP to [email protected]