Xandria is a loving, family-oriented individual, who has two children Za-Maya (3) and Za-Rell (2). Currently, the kids enjoy playing dress-up together and helping their mom … especially in the kitchen! Aside from spending time with her kids, Xandria loves to cook, read and watch TV.
Over the years, the family has had a hard time finding decent, affordable housing. Xandria says, “It was hard moving from place to place. Before finding the 3-bedroom house we are renting right now, we stayed with my grandma for about two years while I searched for a place to live.” Now, Xandria is ready to not have a landlord and to further her financial stability. She says, “My grandma told me about the Habitat homeownership program, and I decided to apply.”
The first time Xandria applied to Habitat, she was not working enough hours to qualify for the program, but Xandria was determined to persevere. She states, “I never give up on anything. I keep pushing forward because there is something at the end. It may be a lot of work, but I keep going.”
Later on, Xandria applied again. She shares, “It was hard to get everything together; but when I finally got all the paperwork turned in it was a relief. Around that time, Covid happened. After things settled down, I got to sign my partnership agreement, which made me feel like I had accomplished something even though I knew there were a lot of steps to go.”
Now, Xandria is working on her 300 hours of sweat equity – taking homeownership courses, volunteering at the ReStore, and helping to build on-site – and well on her way to becoming a Habitat homeowner. She comments, “I started taking the homeownership courses, and I have learned something from all of the classes. I especially enjoyed the Money Management Seminar where I learned about budgeting, saving, and creating an emergency fund in case something was to happen. I’ve also learned a lot about construction while out building homes.”
As the family’s home becomes a reality, Xandria states, “This house will mean a lot. It will be a home for my kids and I … a place to call our own. Becoming a homeowner has been in my plans for a while, and it will be major accomplishment when we move in. I’m excited and proud that I’m doing something this big for my family.”
Looking to the future, Xandria smiles and says, “I know my kids are going to love the house. They will have their own rooms and everything. We’ll also get outside more because of the yard, and I’m going to love that!” She adds, “I might try to get into culinary school after we move into the house too.”
To everyone who has helped make Xandria’s family home a reality, she shares, “Thank you. I appreciate you! This is a big deal for me and my family.”