Category: Stories

THREADS OF STABILITY

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

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.

New Foundations

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.

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.

More Than an Apartment

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.

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.

Rising Above

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.

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.

Windows to the Future

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.

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.

Investing in the Future

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.

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.

Living the Golden Rule

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.

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.

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

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.

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.