For Sharon Watson, the past year has been a battle for stability. A mother, grandmother, and dedicated employee at the Department of Health and Human Services, she has spent much of her time navigating the stress of housing insecurity. Now, as she nears the completion of Habitat’s rigorous homeownership program, she reflects on how this journey has been deeply tied to her health and how having a stable home will transform her future.
For five years, Sharon rented a home in Wake County for $950 per month with the understanding that she might eventually have the opportunity to purchase it from the owner. But that hope began to unravel when tensions rose with her landlord. “He started getting hesitant to come around and fix stuff,” Sharon recalls. Then, in 2024, her rent skyrocketed to $1,300 — a staggering 36% increase.
In North Carolina, rent increases typically range between 3-5% annually, but there are no statewide limits on how much a landlord can raise rent. Shortly after this sharp increase, Sharon’s landlord informed her that he had decided to sell the property to a developer, and she was given notice to vacate.
“I jumped on the Habitat program,” Sharon shares. Accepted in April of last year, she embraced the challenge of completing 200 hours of sweat equity. But while navigating the program, she faced an immediate crisis — finding a temporary place to live.
The search for rental housing proved exhausting and expensive. “I spent over $500 just on non-refundable application fees,” she says, describing the frustration of reaching dead ends in an increasingly competitive market. With no promising rental options, she moved in with her sister for a time and later with her son. “Living with family can be tough,” she admits.
This upheaval took a toll on Sharon’s well-being. “Stress will kill you,” she says. “I didn’t realize how stressed I was until I started having health issues. My hair was falling out. I never had high blood pressure before, and I thought, where is this coming from? Stress.”
Over the past year, Sharon has undergone three surgeries while navigating various living arrangements. She believes that the uncertainty surrounding her housing played a major role in her health challenges. Her experience aligns with well-documented research demonstrating the profound impact of housing stability on physical and mental health.*
Despite these challenges, Sharon remained committed to the Habitat Wake program. Our construction team worked closely with her to accommodate her needs as she completed her requirements. Now, as she nears the finish line, she is filled with hope and anticipation for the stability that homeownership will bring.
“It feels wonderful because I am in my final stages of the program,” she says, her excitement palpable. “My house will be finishing up at the end of May. I’m excited. I’m super, super excited. I have a thing I like to say:
Life is life-ing me. I have been through hell and high water. But look, I’m about to be on dry land.”
For Sharon, her new Habitat home isn’t just a house; it’s a source of peace, security, and a healthy future.
If you believe in the power of home and want to help build more opportunities for families like Sharon’s, get involved with Habitat Wake today. Learn more at habitatwake.org
*For more information about the impact of housing on health outcomes, visit: National Housing Conference Report.
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