Single mom gets new home from Habitat, Bank of America

On Oct. 4, Bettina, a single mother of four and a Las Vegas resident since 1980, received the keys to her new Habitat for Humanity home during a moving ceremony that included friends, family and executives from Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas and Bank of America.

The home was funded by combined donations from community partners, including $200,000 from Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders Award.

The ceremony was part of the sixth annual Global Build, a weeklong event that engages Habitat for Humanity chapters and Bank of America employees to help build affordable homes and revitalize communities in 90 communities across six countries. The build also was part of the largest project in Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas’ 28-year history in Southern Nevada. Located in the Pittman community of Henderson, the home is the third of 20 single-family attached Habitat for Humanity homes to be completed over the next few years.

According to the latest Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors report, home prices in Las Vegas are nearing an all-time high, with the median sold home price reaching $310,000 in September. B

Bettina’s journey to homeownership wasn’t an easy one. She was in an abusive relationship for many years and eventually became homeless. She struggled to find permanent employment and held various jobs through temp agencies in order to provide for her children. One day, she worked up the courage to leave the abusive situation and sought refuge through a local domestic violence shelter. Through this resource, Bettina was able to secure an apartment through subsidized housing.

As Bettina gained more stability for herself and her children, she was able to secure permanent employment with a large company. This afforded her the opportunity to take steps toward making her dream of homeownership a reality. She was referred to Habitat through a friend and began the application process.

Bettina’s new goal is to one day go back to school to become a medical assistant.

Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas homes are sold at no profit and with a zero-interest mortgage to local families. They invest over 300 hours of sweat equity to help build Habitat homes, including the one they will eventually purchase. The homeownership program also includes financial literacy classes and other support. For more information on Habitat for Humanity, visit lasvegashabitat.org.