Building Peace: A Charlotte Veteran's Path to Homeownership
Written by Elsa Conklin, Senior Content Marketing Specialist
In an ideal world, a home is where individuals feel safe, protected, and at peace. But for many Americans, it’s a source of stress: according to a recent study by Habitat for Humanity International, 37% say housing is one of the biggest sources of stress in their lives (Home at What Cost?, Habitat for Humanity International).
A Veteran’s Search for a Peaceful Home
For Christina, a Charlotte native and veteran, housing stress was familiar. She dreamed of owning her own home, a place to create her own peace and quiet after serving in the military. Â
She hadn’t had a peaceful space for herself since before her military service: Christina previously rented apartments, where she often had “terrible experiences,” she shared. The constant noise and external stressors of shared space exacerbated her anxiety, and with rent rising each cycle, it took a toll on her mental and physical health as well as her budget. She’s also disabled and experiences chronic nerve pain and limited mobility in her right arm. Christina sought to create a place to relax and heal — she wanted to own a home of her own.Â
As she explored her options for homeownership, she knew she wanted to stay rooted in Charlotte, where she’d grown up and near her family. Christina was familiar with Habitat Charlotte Region’s Homebuyer Program already — her mother has lived in a Habitat home for decades. Her mother is disabled and on a fixed income, so when her accessibility needs changed and her home needed key repairs for her safety, she reached out to Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program. Habitat’s team completed repairs on her home to make it more accessible for her and to maintain her safety.
Her mother’s situation is a powerful example of Habitat’s approach to affordable housing: building new, affordable homeownership opportunities while repairing and maintaining the limited affordable housing supply — homes where families have called home affordably for decades and wouldn’t be able to stay in otherwise.
Preparing for Homeownership with Habitat’s Homebuyer Program
With her goal of homeownership in mind, Christina applied for Habitat’s Homebuyer Program.
“I never saw myself going through a [homebuying] program, but to me it’s just like a traditional mortgage,” shared Christina. Throughout the process, she learned not just how to build the financial foundation of purchasing a home but also how to maintain it. “Those classes — they get you financially prepared for the long run,” she shared of Habitat’s financial education classes.
Once in the program and with her peaceful refuge in sight, Christina selected a home in the Hope Springs community. Formerly a 9-acre property with a single 1960s-era home owned by Greater Bethel AME Church, this land now features 27 single-family homes in a quiet neighborhood setting. The final phase of the development was completed recently, with the last families moving into their homes by the end of 2026.
When Christina envisioned life as a homeowner, she had in mind sitting on her porch, surrounded by friendly neighbors and a sense of community. By selecting her new home in Hope Springs, she found just that.
Celebrating 35 Years of Women Build
Christina’s home was one of the key build sites in Charlotte celebrating 35 years of Women Build, a fitting celebration of her service and her journey to homeownership. What began as a simple idea from a small group of women here in Charlotte in 1991 has grown into an international movement of women empowering other women through affordable housing across Habitat affiliates worldwide. To date, nearly 5,700 houses have been built by Women Build crews across the U.S. and internationally. Now, in Women Build’s hometown, Habitat Charlotte Region is especially honored to celebrate Christina and her next chapter as a homeowner.
When we visited her nearly finished home in spring 2026, Christina shared, “I’m just so excited, and I can’t hide it,” quoting a favorite song from The Pointer Sisters.
She moved in in summer 2026 and is already making her house a home in this slower-paced next chapter of her life with her toy poodle, Princess.
Help Families in the Charlotte Region Build a Place to Call Home
Every Habitat home, from Christina’s at Hope Springs to the repairs that keep her mother safe in hers, starts with people who show up for affordable housing in our community. Here’s how you can help:
Give: Your gift helps Habitat Charlotte Region build and repair affordable homes for local families.
Volunteer: Give your time and skills, whether in the ReStore, on a build site, or helping support our operations.
Advocate: Tell your elected officials that affordable housing matters. Sign up for advocacy updates to stay involved.