Last week marked a significant milestone for Kai as she attended her Habitat Wake orientation. Without missing a beat, she jumped into her first day on the construction site.
"I walked in today feeling the most nervous about what to expect," Kai shared. "I know we have to complete our sweat equity hours, but I’m not a professional. I wondered, what kind of tasks would I be doing? But once we had our morning meeting, everything just started to flow."
Today's task? Caulking windows. With guidance from Habitat’s skilled staff, homebuyers like Kai actively participate in all aspects of the construction process, gaining valuable hands-on skills that will serve them well as future homeowners.
For Kai, owning a home has been a lifelong dream. "I’ve always envisioned a place for me and my three kids," she said. "Raising them on my own hasn’t been easy. My oldest is 28 and living on his own, but I still have two girls at home—17 and 8. They know what I’m doing out here, and we’re all so excited."
A longtime resident of Wake County, Kai has watched housing costs skyrocket in recent years. With one in four families unable to find affordable housing, staying put has felt out of reach for many. But for Kai, leaving wasn’t an option—her work, support system, and life are all deeply rooted here.
"I’ve seen Wake County change so much, and I hope that as we grow, we make sure to preserve that special spirit." She shared. At Habitat Wake, we know that ensuring affordable housing for both longtime residents and newcomers is essential to keeping that spirit alive.
Kai has completed the first handful of her 200 sweat equity hours and is eager to keep going. She’s motivated to "finish as many hours as she can this fall while the weather is good. Why wait?" Her commitment and enthusiasm are contagious, and we’re excited to watch her journey toward homeownership unfold.