CLEVELAND — Joyce is getting the keys to her brand new home, and it’s just in time for the holidays. 

What You Need To Know

  • Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has completed 26 houses this year, the most in the organization's 35-year history

  • One homeowner is moving in just in time for the holidays

  • By 2024, Cleveland’s Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood will be home to 100 habitat houses, both new and rehabbed

  • Cleveland Habitat's home ownership program helps low-income families become home buyers
  • Homeowners must put in​ 200+ hours of sweat equity and attended workshops covering financial literacy and general home safety and maintenance

“It’s perfect timing. I don't need another gift," Joyce said. 

Becoming a homeowner is an accomplishment that didn’t come easy. 

“I learned a lot with construction, like how to like do part of the floors, a little bit of plumbing, insulation, painting,” Joyce said. 

But it did come with the help of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity through their home ownership program. Joyce had to put in 200 hours of sweat equity to make this dream a reality. 

“Our families understand nothing, you don't get a free ride. But if you're willing to participate and work hard, it's going to pay off for you, as it has for Joyce today,” said John Habat, president of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. 

Habat said Joyce is one of the nine Clevelanders moving into Habitat homes this month. 

“It’s a record for us. We've never sold nine house before in a single month. In fact, it caps remarkably successful year because we set a new record of 26 houses for Cleveland families this year,” he said. 

As Joyce and her family tour and learn more about her new home, she said she envisions having the perfect Christmas right here. 

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