Mary's Story
Mary always knew that one day she’d be a homeowner. A home of her own is something she has prayed about and has always been dear to her heart.
Mary’s parents were homeowners, and Mary gets a twinkle in her eye when she talks about how proud her dad was about being a first-time homeowner. In 1975, the family moved into their Eastdale house, the home of Mary’s childhood memories, including riding bikes, playing softball and baseball with her three siblings, and, of course, the holiday celebrations. Christmas was Mary’s favorite. They’d snack on fruits and nuts and enjoy the traditional holiday foods like ham, turkey, dressing, and spend quality time with immediate family.
Cooking and sharing meals is still near and dear to Mary’s heart. Her favorite Sunday activity is cooking up some meat loaf, mac and cheese, collard greens, and maybe some chicken and dressing. Her two grown daughters live in the Chattanooga area, and they and her grandchildren head over to Mary’s
regularly to relish in the best comfort foods around and enjoy what Mary has dubbed “Soul Food Sunday.”
Mary’s current living situation is “not wonderful at all.” Her rent has gone up more than 35 percent since 2019, and keeping up with skyrocketing rent payments is “a struggle and a challenge. One bill paid and one of my checks is gone already. I have to pick up extra hours just to make it.” On top of that, she has to deal with mold and mildew in the apartment’s bathroom that aggravate her allergies.
While Mary sees being responsible for maintenance on her own home as one of the challenges she will face, she’d “Rather pay my own maintenance than pay a lot of rent to somebody and they’re not even maintaining” the property!
Thankfully, Mary’s friend and coworker, Alice, also a Habitat homeowner, sold Mary on the Habitat program. Mary applied, was accepted, and now Alice and Mary will get to be neighbors! Building relationships is definitely an added benefit of working with Habitat. Mary has really “enjoyed getting to know people and making friends. Everybody I’ve met is really nice.”
She has also learned a lot along the way, especially through the homeowner classes. Some important take-aways for Mary include “learning how to maintain your home, and the financial part, too. Not overspending, save for an emergency.” When Mary meets up with people who are not happy with their living situation, here’s what she tells them: “Apply for the program! I tell them what a wonderful program it is and how they can benefit from the financial aspect.”
Mary is looking forward to a future where she can “Own a home, get situated, and get an investment on my own.” Another benefit Mary is especially looking forward to is privacy. Having her own quiet space will be much appreciated after apartment life with several very noisy neighbors, Mary’s goal is to eventually retire from her job and cook lots of soul food, She is super excited to move into her new home and for that time when she can “Get some serenity, some peace, sitting on my own porch, having some cups of coffee on a slow Saturday morning.” Not much better than making memories in a place of your own!