Marlise Carr and her three children are eagerly counting the days until they can move into their new Habitat for Humanity home in Wilmington. This marks a life-altering chapter with myriad opportunities.
After a decade of rental restrictions and subsidized housing, their dream of homeownership is finally coming true. While the 33-year-old single mother is moving her family only 2 miles from their rental of seven years, this is the culmination of major life changes that Carr has made to give her kids—a 14-year-old son and two daughters, ages 7 and 12—a better life.
Carr’s eyes well with tears when she shares her kids’ plans to decorate their rooms, host family barbecues and make friends with their neighbors on the block.
“It is extremely emotional for me,” she says. “This is our new three-bedroom home, [where] everyone will have his or her own space.… Owning my own property and educating my children about homeownership and what solid financial health looks like is an important gift that I can give to them.”
