Maya had been concerned about the rising rent in Dickson, Tennessee, where she and her young son live. But she didn't have much of a choice because home prices were rising as well, giving her the impression that saving for a mortgage down payment would take a long time—if at all.
Maya works at a nearby bank while also attending cosmetology school. She hopes that her determination to provide a better life for her son will inspire him. She hopes to one day own a business and believes that living in an affordable home will provide her with the stability she needs to work toward that and all of her other goals.
Maya applied after hearing about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville's home ownership program and was relieved to be accepted. She completed 100 hours of financial and homeowner education classes, 70 hours of construction work alongside sponsors and volunteers, and 30 hours of volunteer work at the Habitat ReStore. Maya finally moved into her own brand new home in May, with a 0% APR mortgage, after all of her hard work and "sweat equity."
Maya's family is from Dickson, and she enjoys the small-town atmosphere. Watching her 2-year-old son play outside her parents' house is one of her favorite memories. This memory made her long for a yard for her son to play in. She now has that yard, as well as a new home for her son to make his own childhood memories in, thanks to Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corp.
“Growing up, we spent a lot of family time in our living room. My family would get together on holidays, and I am excited to have that in my new home for my own son,” said Maya, smiling.
Maya's new home in Dickson was built as part of Habitat for Humanity's BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative, an expansion of Habitat's existing BuildBetter program that will build more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes over the next three years to help hundreds of families in need of affordable housing.
Her new three-bedroom home features low-flow shower heads, sinks, faucets, and toilets that use 31% less water than standard fixtures. It has a 93 percent efficient 50-gallon electric water heater, double-paned windows for better insulation, and a reinforced roof. The home is completely ENERGY STAR certified. The family also received an energy-efficient refrigerator and range, which are donated to every Habitat-built home in North America by Whirlpool Corporation.
“To have new appliances — up-to-date appliances at that — feels amazing,” said Maya.
“It’s a big contrast coming from a home where the fridge was not fully freezing and there was no dishwasher. I now have new appliances that are utilized daily. My son and I appreciate everything Whirlpool has done and will continue to do through Habitat for people like me.”
Maya is grateful for the support she received as she attained home ownership.
“On behalf of me and my son, I appreciate this opportunity,” she says. “If I had attempted to go through a bank, I don’t believe I would have been approved for nearly the number of blessings I have through Habitat.”