Life changed for Delilah and her family when she bought a renovated house in Littleton through Habitat Metro Denver this year.
Delilah, her sons – ages 10 to 24 – and her mother moved into a split-level, four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in April. They had lived in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom rental house for 14 years. Her husband died in 2022. Her mother, 63, works at the post office.
“We are more of a family. My sons carry themselves differently, with confidence and pride,” shares Delilah, who works as an accounting technician while finishing her college degree in accounting. She also works nights and weekends as a custodian.
South Metro Housing Options (SMHO) and Habitat Metro Denver have partnered to renovate existing homes in Littleton, adding permanent, affordable, for-sale homes to the area’s housing market. Habitat serves as the contractor, renovating and repairing the homes. SMHO reinvests the sales proceeds to create more affordable housing in Littleton.
In the house that became Delilah’s home, Habitat installed new bathrooms, added a new kitchen with new appliances, and put in new windows, insulation and doors. “It feels like it was heaven sent,” shares Delilah.
Her sons now have their own bedrooms. Delilah has partly finished the lower level into bedrooms for herself and her mother. The second bathroom has eliminated fights. And the large kitchen allows the family to share meals for the first time.
“My son’s grades are better, they are eating better and they are getting better sleep,” shares Delilah. “The boys are making better choices. We work like a well-oiled machine on Saturday to make breakfast together. We talk and laugh.”
For the first time, her sons are able to invite friends over. They help out around the house by raking leaves, taking out the trash, and cleaning. Delilah’s son Gustavo, 15, is applying for jobs at fast-food restaurants. Ruben, 24, works at a mental health clinic and is studying nursing. Together, the family creates a monthly budget that is sustainable.
“I’m making extra payments every month. I want to pay off the mortgage in 11 years,” shares Delilah.
Delilah heard about Habitat in 2011 from an elementary school teacher who bought a Habitat home. Delilah applied several times, but was rejected because of debts. This year, she’d paid off most of her debts, except for a college loan, and was accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program.
“I was accepted on my 40th birthday,” shares Delilah. “We are so blessed.”
“Their grades are better, they are eating better and they are getting better sleep,”
– Delilah Habitat homeowner
