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At Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, we often talk about the impact of homeownership across generations. The stability and equity that families can enjoy from a predictable, affordable housing payment. That sense of knowing what’s coming next allows families to focus on planning for the future, saving for education or pursuing other life goals. Put simply, we see families thrive.
Nassraldin and his family of seven moved into their Habitat Greater San Francisco home back in 2018. This home was what we call a resale, a Habitat GSF home that the original owner is ready to sell. We buy it back, make any necessary repairs to get it ready, and then sell it at an affordable price to a new, qualified family. In this way, homes remain forever affordable. In the future, should Nassraldin’s family be ready to move on, the cycle will start again. This one home will provide the opportunity of affordable homeownership to another family.
Since moving in, Nassraldin has seen his family flourish. He said it best, when he told us that since moving in, “It’s like a rose that was closed all the time, but when the sun comes, it opens. You look at their faces, at my wife, at my kids, and their faces have changed. They’re blooming.”
Two of his elder children have since received their bachelor degrees, with the third completing class online. His two younger children are still in school where they are doing well with room in their home for their studies. On his children’s academic successes, Nassraldin says, “It wouldn’t have happened without the house. Having the house opened up so many possibilities.”
The impact extends beyond just Nassraldin’s family to the wider community. With the stability of affordable homeownership and no threat of sudden rent increases that may displace them, families are able to put down roots in their community. As Nassraldin stated, “The neighbors are part of our family. We are a family, seriously. We exchange Christmas gifts, we eat food together, they bring back strawberries from the farmer’s market. I love them so much. Whatever I need, they are there.”
“It’s like a rose that was closed all the time, but when the sun comes, it opens. You look at their faces, at my wife, at my kids, and their faces have changed. They’re blooming.”
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