Meet Our Homeowners

habitatdetroit
October 30, 2024
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Habitat Detroit Homeowner Named 2024 Homeowner of the Year by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan

Habitat Detroit Homeowner Named 2024 Homeowner of the Year by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan https://habitatdetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/homeowner-ofthe-year.jpg 1200 800 habitatdetroit habitatdetroit https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c049233ae4b274f7b3b443765808b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 30, 2024 October 29, 2024

Donyelle Till, a homeowner with Habitat for Humanity Detroit, has been honored as the 2024 Homeowner of the Year by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. This award recognizes Till’s outstanding contributions to her community and embodiment of Habitat for Humanity’s mission.

Stephanie Osterland, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Detroit, commented on Donyelle Till’s award: “Donyelle embodies the spirit of community that Habitat Detroit strives to build. Since becoming a homeowner in 2009, she has tirelessly given back to her Morningside neighborhood. Her dedication to welcoming new homeowners, participating in community initiatives, and inspiring others makes her a true ambassador for Habitat’s mission. Donyelle’s journey shows how homeownership can transform not just a family, but an entire community.”

Donyelle Till purchased her Habitat Detroit home in 2009, seeking stability for her family. Over the past 15 years, she has become a pillar of the Morningside community, contributing in numerous ways:

Welcoming and supporting new Habitat homeowners as they adjust to homeownership
Serving on the Morningside Association election board, ensuring community representation
Participating in neighborhood cleanups and beautification efforts
Speaking at Habitat Home Dedications, sharing her inspiring story with new homeowners
Motivating program participants to overcome obstacles and persevere

Till’s impact extends to the next generation as well. Inspired by his mother’s dedication, her youngest child now works with the Eastside Development Corp., contributing to business development in the Morningside community.

The Homeowner of the Year award will be presented at Habitat for Humanity of Michigan’s annual Affiliates in Motion (AIM) Conference on October 30, 2024 in Frankenmuth, MI.

Donyelle Till’s story exemplifies how Habitat for Humanity Detroit’s mission goes beyond providing affordable housing to building strong, resilient communities.

habitatdetroit
March 28, 2024
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No Shortage of Inspiration During International Women’s Month

No Shortage of Inspiration During International Women’s Month https://habitatdetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/women-homeowners.jpg 1200 801 habitatdetroit habitatdetroit https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c049233ae4b274f7b3b443765808b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 28, 2024 March 28, 2024

From Habitat Detroit staff, to volunteers, to homeowners, we don’t have to look far for inspirational female figures, stories, and mentors during International Women’s Month! Just take a look at our last three home dedications. All three homeowners are single mothers who put in years of hard work–not just for themselves, but for the future of their children. And that’s just in the last three months!

This growing number of female homeowners at Habitat Detroit is especially motivational given the relatively short history of female homeownership. Until 1900, women could not even own property in all 50 states. On top of that, women couldn’t get their own mortgages (without a male co-signer) until 1974! How far we’ve come!

We want to take a moment and recognize all of the women out there who have had a hand in making Habitat Detroit what it is today!

Did you know…

Across the U.S., single women own 2.71 million more homes than single men

In 1981, 73% of home buyers were married couples, 11% were single women and 10% were single men. Today, those shares stand at 59% married couples, 19% single women, and 10% single men.

Single women own and occupy 10.76 million homes in the U.S.

It wasn’t until 1900 that all states allowed women to hold property in their own names

It wasn’t until 1974 that women were apply for and obtain mortgages on their own —without a male co-signer

The median age of a single female first-time homebuyer is 38, compared to 37 for a single male

Women spend about 2% more when they buy a house than men and sell for 2% less. As a result, they realize 1.5% annualized lower returns, or $1,600 a year, on their homes. Sounds small, but it adds up to $20,000 over 13 years (the U.S. average length of homeownership)

Sources:
https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/single-women-pursue-homeownership/
https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles/state-womens-homeownership
Lending Tree
National Association of Realtors

habitatdetroit
March 28, 2024
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Welcoming New Homeowners to Morningside

Welcoming New Homeowners to Morningside https://habitatdetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/morningside-homeowners.jpg 1200 800 habitatdetroit habitatdetroit https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c049233ae4b274f7b3b443765808b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 28, 2024 March 28, 2024

Schaterika Matthews is the latest homeowner to be welcomed to the Habitat Detroit family, and she’s proud to show her young daughter that homeownership is possible. Ms. Matthews joins the growing list of hardworking people who have earned the title of Habitat Detroit homeowner.

The Matthews are the second family to become homeowners through Habitat Detroit this year.

“Becoming a homeowner is remarkable to me because this opportunity offers us generational wealth, certainty, and soundness,” noted Schaterika Matthews. “Any mother would want something to pass on to their child, and this house gives me the ability to do that. My daughter has had the joy of going through this homebuying process with me. It has changed my outlook and perspective on homebuying and real estate. I’m now building wealth and want to obtain the most out of life by being a homeowner.”

Homeownership through Habitat Detroit is a multi-year process that takes a lot of dedication and hard work on the homeowner’s part. Attending financial counseling, homeowner classes, and putting sweat equity into building the home represent some of the steps along the way to becoming official homeowners.

habitatdetroit
March 14, 2024
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Hard Work and Dedication Make Local Mother of Three a Homeowner

Hard Work and Dedication Make Local Mother of Three a Homeowner https://habitatdetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/hfh-caldwell-family.jpg 1200 800 habitatdetroit habitatdetroit https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c049233ae4b274f7b3b443765808b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 14, 2024 March 14, 2024

Raising kids is anything but easy. Add in the stress of housing instability, high rent, and frequent moves to the equation and it makes the joys of parenthood even harder to enjoy. Thanks to her commitment to becoming a homeowner and enrollment in Habitat Detroit’s Homeownership Program, Latasha Caldwell and her three children now have a house to call home. The family will mark the milestone of becoming homeowners with a home dedication ceremony thrown by Habitat Detroit on March 13

“Becoming a homeowner is significant to me since it will offer my family and me comfort, security, and stability,” noted homeowner Latasha Caldwell, mother of three kids ages 18, 12, and 2. “We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters who are helping us realize this dream.”

The Caldwells are the third family to become homeowners through Habitat Detroit this year. Join the family, Habitat staff, and volunteers to celebrate the new homeowners:

March 13 at 4pm
Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(address available upon request)