Toni, alongside her two daughters and mother, resided in a four-bedroom mobile home prior to moving into her Habitat home. Originally, she moved in with her mother to care for her young daughters while working as a childcare provider. Now, Toni is eager to build a future for her family.

Despite facing challenges in her initial application in 2021, Toni’s persistence paid off when she applied again in 2023. The acceptance into the Cape Fear Habitat program marked a dream come true for Toni.

Toni’s desire to partner with Habitat stems from the program’s positive reputation among friends and family. She saw an opportunity for her family to learn valuable skills and appreciates the stability an affordable mortgage offers. Equipped with budgeting skills learned in the program, Toni values the predictability of housing costs that an affordable mortgage provides.

“For me, an affordable mortgage means financial security, freeing me from fears of drastic housing payment changes. It’s an ease to know what the mortgage is going to be. It’s not an up and down each month. I know what I have to work with. If I can afford a mortgage and still have a cushion under me with money to put aside, to me, that’s affordable.”

Toni’s goal, as a Habitat homeowner, is to pay off the house for her daughters and future generations. She emphasizes the importance of taking life one day at a time, focusing on mental health, and remaining involved in her church community.

Expressing gratitude for the program, excitement about the future, and readiness for the independence and security that homeownership will bring, Toni says, “I always thought I would love to have a Habitat house. I stepped out on faith and applied again, and here we are. Everything is just falling into place. Being accepted into this was very important. We can have a secure area to call our own. I’m ready for that independence and to show my daughters ‘you can do it.’ I’m grateful to be in the program. I’m excited to see what’s to come. I’m ready. It’s been a long time coming.”