Siciliano Family Build
Vanessa is a devoted single mother of five children: Saraya (19), Drew Jr. (8), Natalli (6), Nico-Léon (3), and baby Santino Michael (3 months). For the past four years, her family has lived in a small three-bedroom single-wide trailer where overcrowding and poor living conditions have taken a toll.
The trailer has black mold growing in the bathroom and on the walls, and poor air circulation has made the home uncomfortable and unhealthy. It’s not energy efficient, and the rent—already nearly $1,300 per month—continues to rise each year. Living paycheck to paycheck, Vanessa worries about being priced out and her family being displaced.
Accessibility is also a growing concern. Her youngest daughter, who is scheduled for surgery this fall due to hip dysplasia, will need a wheelchair during recovery. Their current home isn’t wheelchair accessible, adding to Vanessa’s worries about how she’ll care for her daughter’s needs.
Inside the trailer, Vanessa shares a bedroom with her 3-year-old and infant son. Her 8- and 6-year-olds share the second bedroom, and her oldest daughter has the third. There is little space or privacy, and no room for the children to play freely indoors.
Being accepted into Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program brought Vanessa hope. Her future Habitat home will provide enough space for her children to have their own rooms and room to grow. A stable, affordable mortgage with 0% interest will help her plan for the future, rather than constantly worry about rising rent.
Through Habitat’s homeownership and financial literacy classes, Vanessa has learned how to budget, save, and prepare for unexpected expenses. The Individual Development Account (IDA) program has also been a blessing, helping her save for the down payment on her home. She feels more confident about taking care of a house and proud of the effort she’s put in to reach this milestone.
For Vanessa, Habitat is making a dream come true—one she never thought possible. She looks forward to giving her children a safe place to call their own, a backyard where they can play with their dog, space to start a garden, and a home to celebrate birthdays and family gatherings. For her family, this home is more than just a house—it’s a new beginning filled with hope and opportunity.
The Siciliana home will feature six bedrooms.
