Habitat for Humanity Kenosha helps mother with new home

KENOSHA, Wis. - A single mother's wish to own a home is coming true with the help of Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha.

For Amanda Marin, building and owning a home is a dream that is a step closer to reality.

"I get teary eyes when I think about it's never something that I dreamed I would be able to do," she said. "It's so exciting, it doesn't feel real. All the time, I remind myself this is happening, this is our home."

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Marin and her two kids have always lived in apartments, but that is about to change.

A forever home she has put in more than 200 hours on the building in the last year with the help of  Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha.

"Some people think that a habitat home is free, but they actually do pay for it. They pay a mortgage, we are the mortgage holders," said executive director Angela Elliott. "We give them a 0% interest rate mortgage and an affordable rate for them, so the mortgage payment is based on their income."

Elliott said this is part of a partnership with the city to revitalize neighborhoods with homes for families in need.

"This is more than a home, it's hope for the future," Elliott said. "And helping build generational wealth, they have shown that a home provides so much stability that it affects other things."

Marin is already looking forward to creating new memories in her home.

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"I'm going to host Thanksgiving or Christmas for sure. I already told my family, ‘no one else host it, I'm going to do it.’"

Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha’s next application period is in September.