Meet Future Habitat Homeowner, Nikale!

Nikale is a Charlotte native currently living in east Charlotte with her mother and her 13-year-old son, Liam. Nikale is a single parent, has worked as an educator for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for 22 years, and is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, reading, cooking, gardening, singing, taking Liam to the arcade, and spending time with family and friends.

The last few years have been filled with adversity for Nikale’s family. Her father passed away in 2014, causing her family to relocate to their current home in Windsor Park the following year. Rent has risen steadily, and the landlord continues to increase maintenance fees while letting the home fall into disrepair. The roof leaks, paint is peeling throughout the house, and the doors and windows are not sealed properly, which has forced her to add pest control to her expenses and pay a higher heating and cooling bill. “If it were not for my mother being in the household with me, there would be no way that I could pay for the rising cost of housing and other living expenses,” Nikale said. On top of the maintenance problems, the landlord lives directly next door and has taken issue with how the family was using their outdoor space. Nikale no longer gardens in her backyard or invites family over for gatherings, and Liam no longer feels comfortable playing outside. Despite these issues, the family could not afford to move.

Then, in 2018, Nikale’s oldest son, Dorian, passed away tragically in a car accident at the age of 18. In the wake of her family’s grief over the loss of her son, Nikale knew it was time for a change. “I am attempting to get my life back after enduring the worst pain imaginable,” she explained.