Lonni, a Colorado native, senses that her new Habitat home in Denver’s Cole neighborhood represents the start of a new chapter in her home state.
“I don’t have words to describe how amazing this is,” Lonni shared, just before moving into her Habitat home. “I really never thought I would be a homeowner.”
After growing up in foster care and moving frequently between schools and homes, Lonni knew education was her path to independence. She earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work and now works as a student case manager at a state university. “I am in a fortunate situation. Only two percent of foster children go on to get a college degree. I am so proud of beating the odds,” she said.
Despite her accomplishments, Denver’s high-cost housing market made it impossible for Lonni to afford a safe, stable home. At one point, while pregnant, she experienced housing insecurity after her boyfriend kicked her out.
Before buying her Habitat home, Lonni and her two-year-old son lived in a mice-infested, two-bedroom apartment in Aurora that didn’t have reliable heat in the winter. She used to move a space heater from room to room for warmth, and maintenance requests would go ignored. Lonni wanted better for her son – and for herself.
Today, Lonni is a proud Habitat homeowner, who already feels the stability and empowerment of owning her first home.
“My Habitat home has so many benefits,” she shares. “I have a parking spot, more space, safety, and there’s a park across the street where my son can play. I’m so excited for him.”
Lonni heard about Habitat Metro Denver’s homeownership program from a friend at work. The first time she applied, she didn’t make enough money to qualify for a mortgage. So after she got a raise at work, she re-applied and was accepted. Lonni shared that Habitat’s homeownership classes —a required part of the homeownership journey – helped her feel confident as a first-time homebuyer.
“I learned so many things you don’t think about if you rent – like maintenance, homeowners’ insurance, and saving for repairs,” Lonni said. “I will be a better homeowner because of the classes. You can never learn enough.”
Lonni also learned a lot about being her own handyman while performing her sweat equity hours as part of her homeownership journey with Habitat.
“I’m so proud and grateful of all of the Habitat volunteers,” shares Lonni. “This could not happen without the Habitat volunteers who are so helpful and such good teachers. It has been such a positive experience.”
“I’m so grateful for Habitat and all the things they make possible for homeowners. ”
– Habitat homeowner Lonni
