“I think we’re finally going to be free when we own a home.”
Denisse and Jorge value security above all else. “That’s one of the most important things in life—feeling secure, protected,” Denisse says.
The family of three has lived in Tucson almost all their lives. Jorge works in landscaping, and Denisse is taking time off from being a dental assistance to raise their young daughter, who is 1 ½ years old.
“When she acts like this—hugs, kisses—it’s my favorite part,” Denisse says, smiling.[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/jorge-dennise-sanchezdsc_0207b.jpg” image_size=”large”]
The fear of landlord repercussions and being charged for each little thing is a huge worry for Jorge and Denisse. The high cost of rent means they don’t have enough to space for themselves and their young daughter. “We can’t even take her to the zoo—we can’t afford it, because our rent is really high. And plus, we have to think about all that we have to pay when we move out, and when we move in, the down-payment for another lease. It’s a terrible cycle.”
Plus, they don’t feel safe where they live. Loud neighbors and fights keep their young daughter up at night. “She can barely sleep because she gets so scared,” Denisse says.
Every year, as rent is raised, they end up moving. They don’t feel as if they can rely on their housing, and all their savings go towards a new place that they hope will be better.
Every year, as rent is raised, they end up moving. They don’t feel as if they can rely on their housing, and all their savings go towards a new place that they hope will be better.
[mk_image image_size=”large”]When they learned they were accepted by Habitat, they felt tremendous relief. “God, it was the most amazing thing,” Denisse says.
‘She was jumping when she saw the letter,” says Jorge.
“I was! We were crying,” adds Denisse. “We were so excited and grateful. We made it!”
Denisse and Jorge have already completed 140 hours of sweat equity and have attended financial classes, learning how to budget and plan for more than down-payments. (They will complete 250 hours each before completing the program).
“It’s pretty fun,” says Jorge. They love the chance to meet their fellow homeowners at the build site and the HabiStore, and the chance to learn skills they can use for the rest of their lives. But what they’re most excited about is the chance to unlock the front door to their new Habitat home.[mk_image src=”https://habitattucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/hb_8564.jpg” image_size=”large”]“We’re going to have a safe place,” Denisse says. “Our daughter will be able to play. She will have a backyard. She will have a room! I think we’re finally going to be free when we own a home.”
Jorge is looking forward to providing his daughter opportunities in life. “We’re going to start saving money for her so she can go to college,” he says.
Denisse agrees. “All that money that we’ve been wasting in rent, it’s going to go for her. So she can have a better future.”