Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Shares Story at Meredith
By Heather Blackwood, ’07
For many people, owning a home is the equivalent to the American dream. However, that dream is sometimes put on hold because of substandard housing, earning a minimal income or living in a bad neighborhood.
For Ralphette Murphy and her daughter, McKayla, the dream of owning a home came true with the help of Habitat for Humanity. On Monday, March 26, as part of MeredithServes Home & Homelessness week, Murphy shared her story at Meredith.
Murphy, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., moved to Raleigh in January 2005. Her mother died when she was 15 and a few years later, Murphy had a daughter herself. Because of her living conditions, Murphy’s family led her to Habitat. After a long application process, homeowner classes and service hours, Murphy is ready to move in to her brand new home.
“My application process took around 18 months because I was a temporary employee,” Murphy said. “Before we close on the house [Habitat homeowners] have to take classes that teach us how to own a home. There are financial and predatory lending classes, as well as classes that train us on how to keep the home as energy efficient as possible. I also had to do at least 250 sweat equity hours, where I worked on my own house or another house.”
Habitat for Humanity requires a long process, because the organization “wants to make sure that you’re able to maintain your home after you move in,” Murphy said. “In the end, it’s all worth it.”
Veronica Bitting, faith and community manager for HabitatWake went on to say how fortunate Murphy was to be selected for a home, because out of about 200 applications HabitatWake receives, only about five percent are approved.
In order to qualify, an applicant must fall within certain income guidelines, live in substandard housing in a bad neighborhood, have an overcrowded living arrangement, and rent that is at least 33 percent of their gross income.
With close collaboration between the construction crew and house leader, Murphy was able to customize her home in ways that would not cost the crew extra money.
“[The crew] added shelves in the living room and bathrooms using leftover wood,” Murphy said.
The finished product is an 1,100 square foot house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Murphy and her daughter look forward to moving in around April 23.
“Habitat has truly blessed me,” Murphy said. “I have the opportunity to own a home…and I’m only 21.”
Meredith students have become more involved with Habitat for Humanity through Meredith’s new Habitat Club, which is part of the MeredithServes program. Students have traveled throughout the Southeast and the state participating in the deconstruction and construction projects, and to work in the organization’s reuse center.
