Stories - Housing Can't Wait

Impact Stories

Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. The stories of the people we serve prove what’s possible when communities come together to create opportunity. From first-time homebuyers overcoming financial barriers to seniors gaining the security to age in place, these real-life experiences highlight the transformational power of housing. Each impact story is a testament to resilience. To hope. Click below to explore how lives are being changed every day.

A man stands in front of a house holding up a colorful patchwork quilt, addressing a small group of people gathered outside.

THREADS OF STABILITY

James McClain came to Tennessee’s Loudon County Habitat for Humanity in January 2023, hoping to move from a poorly maintained one-bedroom apartment to a new home — one that he would own after providing 250 hours of sweat equity helping Habitat staff and volunteers with construction.

A man and woman sit close together on a large rock in a wooded area, both wearing matching purple “Walk for Recovery” t-shirts and participant badges.

More Than an Apartment

Mary Smith and her family had an on-going housing challenge because of a lack of affordable options and her seven years in active addiction. With the help of Garrett County Community Action Committee, she now has an apartment and is turning her life around.

A smiling couple sits closely together on a cozy, textured couch with patterned pillows. Their relaxed posture and joyful expressions reflect warmth, comfort, and a sense of home.

First-Time Homebuyers Save Time and Money by Eliminating Long Commute

Newlyweds Bobbi McSwine and Tyran Price didn’t think they would qualify for a home loan because of student loans and lack of a down payment. Both traveled over an hour each way from their home in Shelbyville, Kentucky to Lexington for work, and they dreamed of saving both money and time by living closer to their jobs.

A smiling woman stands beside a young person in a wheelchair outside a brick building, near a colorful chalkboard sign that reads "Cafe OPEN NOW." Red and blue balloons add a festive touch, suggesting a welcoming and inclusive community space.

Living the Golden Rule

For Nikki Price, finding a two-bedroom apartment with access for her son, Kale, and his wheelchair in Belington, West Virginia, population 1700, was challenging. In addition, she doesn’t own a vehicle and needed a place that was walkable.

A group of volunteers, wearing aprons and masks, stand behind a serving table filled with trays of food. They are smiling as they prepare to serve meals, with a variety of dishes visible, such as casseroles and baked goods. The volunteers range in age and ethnicity, and they are all wearing gloves as they help with the meal service. The background shows additional people in line, and the setting appears to be a community meal or event at a large indoor space.

ON MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE, ALABAMA RURAL MINISTRY HONORS THE LEGACY OF DR. KING BY IMPROVING HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED

Each year, Fahe Member Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), an interdenominational faith-based organization with connections to the United Methodist Church, hosts volunteer opportunities in Tuskegee to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the MLK Jr. Day of Service.

A smiling older woman and a man stand outside a house holding a weather alert radio box. The woman wears a beach-themed shirt, and the man wears a "Creative Passion, Inc." T-shirt.

Windows to the Future

Gloria Wright owns a 50-year-old three-bedroom cement block home that she maintains the best she can on a fixed social security income. But major improvements are beyond her means – like new energy efficient windows to replace the original single pane aluminum frame ones.

A man in a tan jacket and glasses stands smiling in front of a construction site on a sunny day, with mountains and newly built homes in the background.

New Foundations

Bill Sizemore’s 100-year-old house filled with 18 feet of water in the July 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. The foundation completely washed away and the structure was demolished just days later. Finding a rental took months. Bill wrestled with his next steps, not knowing what he would be able to afford. HOMES, Inc., made owning a new home possible.

A woman stands in a brightly lit kitchen with three children, all smiling warmly for the photo. Their close embrace and relaxed expressions reflect a sense of family, love, and togetherness in their home.

Investing in the Future

Elda Bowen was paying $1600 a month in rent out of her modest social security and retirement income. Purchasing a home significantly reduced her monthly payment. The move to Bath County also brought her and the three great grandchildren in her custody closer to relatives and the chance for a fresh start.

Room for Family

When Brooke Shannon and her husband moved to Gatlinburg to open an artist shop, they first lived in a small attached apartment in the bustling downtown without a full kitchen. Soon after starting their search to buy a house, they had a firm deadline they wanted to meet: Brooke was pregnant and they were determined to welcome their son into a new home.

A man with a long white beard and a black cap smiles softly while standing inside a house under construction. Wooden framing surrounds him, and natural light filters through the unfinished walls.

Rising Above

Farmer Baker has felt lost since the devastating 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky. That July night, a wall of water swept through his holler in Lower River Caney, tragically killing his wife and washing away their home. For two years after, he has lived nearby with his oldest son.

Impact Stories

Housing Can’t Wait—And Neither Can Your State