Meet Alejandra, a future Habitat homeowner!

For Alejandra, homeownership is about more than having a place to live. It’s about giving her children a brighter future.   

Currently, Alejandra’s children sleep in the living room of their family’s apartment, leaving them without a space of their own. But as she works toward becoming a Habitat homeowner, she can picture a stable home where her kids will have their own bedrooms and decorate their own spaces. 

“It’s going to be hard, but just keep going,” she tells herself. “You’ll be happy, and all the effort will be worth it.”  

Alejandra’s journey toward homeownership hasn’t been easy. She grew up in Mexico and moved to the United States in 2007. After living in Florida for 13 years, she chose to move to Indiana in 2021 to be closer to her siblings after her husband was deported. Throughout her time in the United States, her family struggled to find adequate housing because of their credit. 

When Alejandra discovered Habitat, she saw an opportunity to overcome some of the barriers she had experienced elsewhere. She first heard about Habitat through her siblings, who had gone through the homeownership program three years before. Their experience helped her see that owning a home could be possible for her too. 

Alejandra initially applied to the program but wasn’t accepted. When she applied again and was accepted, she saw it as an opportunity to build a more stable future for herself and her two boys. 

As a single mother, Alejandra saw Habitat as an opportunity to provide something better for her children. Today, her children sleep in the living room of their apartment. Her future Habitat home will change that, giving each of them their own bedroom and a place to call their own. For Alejandra, the opportunity to provide that space is one of the most meaningful parts of becoming a homeowner. 

The path to homeownership has also challenged Alejandra in ways she didn’t expect. When she first began the program, she found it difficult to balance earning “sweat equity” with the demanding hours of her job. At times, she felt overwhelmed by the challenge of balancing work, the program, classes, construction requirements, and motherhood. She wondered whether she would be able to manage everything, but her family and friends encouraged her throughout the process. Mariluz, Habitat Homeowner Services Director, continued reminding her that the process would ultimately be worth it for their family. 

When asked what has surprised her most about Habitat, Alejandra explained, “Honestly, everything.” 

For her, the opportunity to become a homeowner feels both unique and life changing. This is her first opportunity to have a home of her own, and she is amazed by the experience and everything Habitat has made possible for her and her family. 

Alejandra is especially proud of what she has learned about managing money. Through the program’s financial education, she has gained a better understanding of money management and developed skills that will continue to serve her and her family as she moves toward homeownership. 

Now, Alejandra looks forward to experiencing the stability that comes with having a home of her own. She is excited to no longer face the high cost of rent in Bloomington and to have a stable place her family can call home. She is especially looking forward to decorating the house and giving her children the opportunity to decorate their own rooms and create spaces that belong to them. 

“The most important thing for me is my children. I’m proud of myself for doing this for them and giving them a better, more stable future,” said Alejandra. 

Today, Alejandra is preparing to break ground on her Habitat home. She is proud of herself for persevering through the challenges of the program and making this opportunity possible for her family. As she looks ahead to homeownership, she is grateful for the path Habitat has provided and for the people who have supported and encouraged her along the way. Their support has helped her get one step closer to a home where her children can have a space of their own—and where her family can truly build a future together.