For Jennifer, homeownership has always represented more than a house—it represents stability, security, and the opportunity to build a better future for her three children.
As a single mother and project manager who has lived in the San Gabriel Valley her entire life, Jennifer has worked hard to provide for her family. Yet like many families in Southern California, she found herself facing a difficult reality: homeownership seemed increasingly out of reach.
“It’s always been my dream to have a home and coming from a family of parents that own a home, it’s always been something important. Something that I needed to feel successful.”
Today, Jennifer and her three children live in a small two-bedroom apartment, with all three children sharing one bedroom.
“With my kids getting older, they all need their space and privacy. It’s nice for them to share space growing up, but as they grow up you also want to give them their own space.”
Jennifer’s oldest daughter is a dedicated student, while her younger children stay busy with sports, dance, and the activities they love. But in their small apartment, all three children share a bedroom, making it hard.
The rising cost of housing forced Jennifer to consider leaving the community she loves.
“I thought about moving far away, even out of state. It would be doable, but I would be losing a lot. I would be losing help. I would be losing my kids spending time with their family, their cousins, their grandparents. It wasn’t something that I was willing to lose.”
Jennifer has deep roots with Habitat for Humanity. As a teenager, she volunteered alongside family members helping build a Habitat home her uncle would later purchase. Years later, Habitat is helping her achieve that same dream.
“With the economy and inflation, I think it’s been very impossible for a lot of young adults to purchase homes, so this has really opened up an opportunity for me to make that dream come true.”
As she looks ahead, Jennifer is most excited for the simple moments—a place where her family can gather, celebrate traditions, and create lasting memories around their own table.
“I’m excited about cooking meals and having everyone around the table, decorations, just owning a home in general is such a dream. I’m excited about everything.”
