“This is a once in a lifetime situation. I’m determined to succeed, and God has given me the tools I need to complete this opportunity.”

Renee raised five successful children, and now is ready to become a homeowner herself. She works in an Optical Lab in Largo, where she moves between three departments. Her five children, four boys and one girl, are all adults now living around the country.

“My daughter recently graduated with her AA degree from SPC, with her focus in Nursing. My eldest lives in Texas, my second and third sons live in Colorado, and my fourth son and only daughter live here in Clearwater. They are all successful adults who are passionate about family, movies, music, fishing, and traveling.”

Renee has spent time living with her daughter and her daughter’s fiancé. Although she loved living with them, they all agreed that Renee was in need of her own space. “I’m very proud of them, and I truly understand them needing space as they make lives for themselves as successful independent adults.” With the rising costs of rent, combined with lower wages, it makes it very difficult for Renee to afford rent. She was stuck between qualifying income brackets for housing assistance, which led her to apply for the Habitat program.

After being accepted to the program, Renee says she was ecstatic. “I’m so happy that it brings tears to my eyes. I don’t want to be a burden to my children, and now I have such a wonderful opportunity to be self-sufficient.” She has loved learning everything that comes with home building. “I’m not afraid of hard work. While accomplishing my goals and dreams, I’m also helping another human being accomplish theirs. It’s a win-win situation.”

“I’m so beyond excited! I will be able to afford my mortgage and utilities, I’ll be stable, and won’t be moving from apartment to apartment in bad areas. The kids can come visit, and there is a great park just a block away where I can walk my dog, relax, and enjoy life.”