“I am starting my journey to a happier life.”

Stephen Kopp, a disabled US Army Veteran, is working towards his goal of owning his first home. He is now retired, but is very hard working at everything he does, and always doing what he can to help others.

Although he doesn’t have children, he considers his cat, Princess, to be his fur-child. The two of them currently live in a home that is constantly burdening them with repairs. His home does not have an A/C unit, and a leaking roof has caused mold to grow throughout the house. “Due to health conditions, they are not something I can easily attend to.” For this reason, Stephen applied to the Habitat Homeownership program to find a new, affordable home.

When accepted into the program, Stephen said, “I was ecstatic. I have never owned a home, especially a new one. This home will cause less stress. It will be a healthier environment, and I will be able to enjoy life more.”

Although COVID-19 has paused sweat equity hours, Stephen has been completing as many virtual volunteer hours as possible. “It is a worthwhile project. This program helps people enjoy the freedom of owning your own home.”

“My home will be my key to a happier and healthier life. Everyone should have a home to live in where you are free, safe, and content.”

Stephen is a partner with our Veterans Build in Pasco County. Through these specialty builds, we team up with military and veteran families, volunteers and community organizations to build a home for a veteran who served our country proudly. Stephen is the fourth veteran to become a homeowner through this program and will soon be a new homeowner in Town & Country Villas.

Stephen closed on his home in October 2020. Special thank you to the Veteran’s Build sponsors who helped our Veteran achieve his goal of homeownership. You can watch his dedication at https://youtu.be/LO-wAMRfDFo.

Home Sponsors: