Jessica's Family Story

As a single mother, Jessica struggled to balance the demands of her job with the need to care for her 7-year-old son, Bryson. When she learned “he was acting out in school,” she decided to sacrifice her career, even though she knew leaving her job would entail a significant pay cut. “I’m not going to lose all those years with my son,” she says. Fortunately, she quickly found a new position, but the salary was much lower.

Jessica and her son couch-surfed and lived in motels until they found their current residence. When this apartment came on the market, Jessica was quick to pursue the lead, but after moving in, she “slowly learned why we could afford it; our newly rented home was actually falling apart.” Their 290-square-foot studio apartment has numerous safety issues, electrical hazards, and holes around the window panes that create significant temperature fluctuations in both the summer and winter. They also experience seasonal rodent issues, and their apartment was broken into during broad daylight.

Determined to provide a stable and safe living arrangement for her family, Jessica applied to Section Eight housing but became disheartened to learn the amount of time families could remain on the wait list. A coworker and current Pikes Peak Habitat homeowner told Jessica about Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity. On the day she received the news that her family had been accepted into the homeownership program, Jessica says, “It was almost like a big change instantaneously because I can put a different kind of attitude and my best foot forward now and not be so negative about what I’m going to come home to. I know there are better days ahead.”