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Family and Current Housing
Claudia Austin and her sons are hoping to build a house with room to grow – something they lack in their small, two-bedroom rental in Massillon. The family of three lives in a duplex where they’re constantly bumping into each other, making it tough to enjoy their time together at home. In addition to having her two boys cramped in the small living room and kitchen, Claudia is helping raise her niece and nephew, which at time adds to the crowding. The house also has occasional electrical issues because of a substation behind the home that causes the power to go out and is near a motel that frequently houses registered sex offenders. Claudia applied for the Habitat for Humanity partnership at her mom’s recommendation and liked the idea that she would get to be part of building her own home – an opportunity she said she wouldn’t get otherwise with the income she makes working for a garage door manufacturer. She looks forward to having a place her family can call their own, where she and her boys can invite friends over and host birthday and holiday gatherings. “We like to celebrate our life, but it’s hard to do that when it’s such a small place right now,” Claudia said. At home, Claudia and her sons like being outside together and playing board games and card games. Both boys describe their mom as kind and say she’s taught them the importance of being respectful to everyone.

A Bright Future
Claudia has spent the past year investing hours into her sweat equity for the Habitat partnership as she prepares to build her own home. Claudia’s favorite part of her sweat equity has been working at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and building with other families in the partnership. As for her home, she’s looking forward to meeting the volunteers who will embrace and bless her family without asking for anything in return. She knows her Habitat house will build a better future for her sons, Thomas and Benjamin. With a zero-interest mortgage, she will be able to save her money to invest back into her home and into her children. “I’m doing this so they can have a place to call their own one day that I help make and I help build for them.”
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Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio logo
In Support of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
As a grassroots Christian housing ministry serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, visit habitateco.org.