Moises and Andrea currently rent a two-bedroom apartment with their four children: Carlos, Kevin, Daniel, and Melanie. The space is crowded, and over time their idea of peace and stability began to fade, especially as rent prices continued to rise, leaving them wondering if homeownership would ever be possible.
Today, after setbacks, rejection, and years of waiting, that dream is finally taking shape through Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.
Moises and Andrea first discovered the Habitat homeownership program through family and friends who had participated in the program, including Andrea’s sister, Veronica, who was already a Habitat homeowner. Witnessing her experience gave them hope that homeownership might one day be possible for their own family.
When the couple first decided to apply, however, they were met with disappointment. As they prepared to submit an application, Habitat was forced to pause new applications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long before we felt the full impact of the pandemic on the U.S. housing market, stagnant wages combined with high home prices kept homeownership out of reach for many families. This was only exacerbated by rising rent costs, increasing utility expenses, food insecurity, and construction delays.
Despite the challenging landscape of the pandemic, Moises and Andrea remained hopeful. They attended homeownership meetings and carefully prepared their application. Excited by the opportunity, they shared the news with their children, who immediately began imagining what life might be like in a home of their own.
Unfortunately, Moises and Andrea’s first application was denied.
“When we told them the first time, they were excited,” Andrea recalled. “But then we found out we weren’t accepted, and they were disappointed.”
For several years, Moises and Andrea wrestled with whether they should apply again. The disappointment of their first rejection made them hesitant to put themselves and their children through the process another time.
However, they knew they couldn’t give up if they wanted to become homeowners, even if it meant another rejection.
“We decided to wait and see what happens,” Andrea said, hoping they would eventually have another opportunity to improve their application and try again.
This time around, they waited to tell their children they had applied to protect them from another potential disappointment.
Then came the call.
When Moises and Andrea learned they had been accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program, they were overwhelmed with excitement and relief. After years of uncertainty and rejection, their dream of becoming homeowners was finally within reach.
“My kids were excited to have a house,” Andrea said. “They were excited to have a space to call their own.”
The news brought relief after years of wondering whether they would ever be able to afford a permanent place to raise their family.
After moving to Bloomington from North Carolina to be closer to family and take advantage of better educational opportunities for their children, the couple found themselves facing rising housing costs year after year.
Habitat’s work in Monroe County carries a special urgency, as it is one of the most expensive places to live in the state of Indiana. At one apartment, Moises and Andrea’s utility bills reached nearly $300 a month. Later, they rented a house for $750 per month, only to see the rent increase to nearly $1,400 the following year. Their current two-bedroom apartment, once $950 per month, now costs approximately $1,200.
Moises works in landscaping, an industry where income can fluctuate based on the season, and Andrea is a stay-at-home mom. Combined with rising costs of rent, utilities, and everyday essentials, financial stability was becoming more and more challenging.
Like many families in Monroe County, they found themselves moving from one rental to another simply to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Finally, through Habitat, they experienced a glimmer of hope.
When Moises and Andrea began partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, they were eager to start earning sweat equity hours and learning alongside other future homeowners.
One of their favorite experiences has been working on construction sites.
“We learned a lot of stuff that we didn’t know,” Andrea said.
For Moises especially, helping build homes has been deeply meaningful. The opportunity to eventually help construct his own home carries a significance that goes beyond simply purchasing a house.
“It’s emotional,” Andrea said of her husband’s experience. “You’re watching your own place grow.”
While the construction experience has been rewarding, Habitat’s financial education classes have been equally transformative.
At Habitat, we believe that financial education is critical to successful long-term homeownership and to building intergenerational wealth while improving health and educational outcomes for families.
When Moises and Andrea began partnering with Habitat, they discovered that becoming successful homeowners required more than purchasing a home—it required developing new financial habits.
“We were spending too much without realizing it,” Andrea said.
Through money management classes, the couple learned how quickly small purchases could add up. Frequent trips to the store, fast-food meals, and everyday expenses were costing more than they realized.
“We always went to the store every day because we forgot something,” Andrea said. “Then we realized how much we were spending on gas and all those little trips.”
The classes taught them how to budget, save, and prepare to manage an affordable mortgage.
Today, Moises and Andrea are looking forward to the next chapter of their journey: building and moving into a home of their own.
“Becoming a homeowner means peace of mind and freedom for my family,” Moises said.
Freedom from constantly worrying about rent increases. Freedom from apartment restrictions. Freedom to create a space that belongs entirely to their family.
For years, Andrea dreamed of planting a backyard garden, but apartment living made that impossible. Once they move into their forever home, she plans to put down roots by planting flowers and vegetables.
The family also looks forward to hosting cookouts, welcoming relatives into their home, and creating traditions they have never had the space to enjoy before.
Their children are excited for their own reasons. Their oldest son talks often about finally having his own bedroom, and Melanie looks forward to hosting sleepovers with friends. They are eager to make memories in a neighborhood where they can play, build relationships, and grow up together.
“It’s a dream that I thought would never come true,” Andrea said.
Along the way, Habitat has also helped the family build a community. Through sweat equity and homeownership classes, they have developed friendships with other Habitat partner families and connected with people who share similar experiences and goals.
When asked what advice they would give to families considering applying to Habitat, Moises and Andrea were quick to encourage others not to give up. The process may take time, and there may be setbacks and disappointments along the way, but they believe the opportunity is worth pursuing.
“Follow your dreams,” Andrea said. “Go for it.”
“You never know if you don’t try again,” Moises added.
As they continue earning sweat equity hours and prepare to build their future home, Moises and Andrea are working toward stability for their family and a place their children can call home for years to come.
After years of waiting, their dream is finally taking shape.