Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
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Family and Current Housing
Nicole grew up moving between different rental homes in Massillon, always dreaming of one day owning a place of her own to build stability for her family. This journey to homeownership hasn’t been easy. Before her current rental, she lived in public housing, and for the past eight years, she and her children have lived in a two-bedroom upstairs unit in a quadplex. As her teenagers grow, the limited space has become cramped, forcing them to convert the living room into a makeshift bedroom. The apartment has other challenges too: the window air conditioning unit doesn’t fully seal, allowing drafts into the home, and both the kitchen sink and her daughter’s bedroom have persistent leaks. Additionally, the busy street and lack of adequate parking have led to her car being hit multiple times, with one incident even leaving her car totaled. The most concerning issue, however, began when the downstairs unit was left vacant and deconstructed down to the studs. With no one living there, squatters began entering, and to prevent freezing pipes, the landlord installed space heaters in the empty unit. This vacancy has led to increased rodent problems, including a mouse infestation and even a raccoon seen entering through the downstairs unit. Although the rent is affordable, Nicole endures these challenges because she needs housing within her budget. Encouraged by her mother, Nicole applied to the Habitat homeownership program, bringing her one step closer to her dream of having a home where she can find peace—both financially and mentally. She has worked hard in the program, actively participating in sweat equity assignments, and is currently attending homebuyer education classes. These classes cover crucial topics like financial wellness and home maintenance, giving her the knowledge she needs to confidently step into homeownership.

A Bright Future
Nicole works as a Technical Support Agent for Massillon Cable TV and truly loves her job. She’s excited about purchasing her Habitat house, believing it will finally give her and her children a place to truly call home. Her son, Carlos, is outgoing and does well in school. He enjoys playing games with friends and dreams of one day creating his own video game. Her daughter, Konstince, is incredibly creative and has a passion for drawing. Nicole envisions a future where they can take walks together, have family movie nights, and explore new things about the world as a family. She sees their Habitat home as the beginning of many dreams realized.

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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.