Ihrig Family

Hannah is a single mother of two daughters, 8-year-old Nevaeh and 6-year-old Lexi. They currently rent an older home in Elkhart, where rent continues to increase despite unresolved maintenance issues. At one point, Code Enforcement found unsafe wiring and a cracked foundation that allowed groundwater into the basement. Hannah also does not feel the area is safe for her family.

​

Hannah has been on her own since she was 18 and has worked to provide stability for her daughters. She learned about Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program through social media and a personal connection, and applied in 2024 after realizing she could not continue living paycheck to paycheck without additional support.

​

She has worked as a shipping clerk at GDC Inc. for two years and values both her job and her coworkers. She is proud to work for a locally owned, women-led company.

​

In her current home, her daughters each have a bedroom, while Hannah uses a converted living space as her own. She looks forward to having a home where they will each have their own rooms and more functional space. When she learned she had been accepted into the program, she described it as “winning the lottery.”

​

Through Habitat’s financial literacy and homeownership classes, Hannah gained a better understanding of her finances and adjusted her spending habits, including reducing daily coffee runs and meal prepping to save money. She also participated in build days and connected with other families in the program.

​

Hannah selected her homesite closer to her grandparents and church. She looks forward to owning her home, paying an affordable mortgage, and having a safe place for her daughters and their dog Luna to play. Her daughters are excited about the move and have shared the news with their friends and teachers.

​

For Hannah, homeownership means stability and the opportunity to plan for her family’s future.