Although Eric and Wendy have always worked toward homeownership, it hasn't always been easy to stay on that path. Eric moved the family to Snohomish County from the midwest and found work at a small manufacturing plant. Wendy cared for their two children at the modest apartment they rented. They saved as much money as possible toward a down payment on a home. They knew it would take some time to save the money, but they were determined.

Then, Eric lost his job when the plant went out of business. Even though Eric found occasional work, the family could no longer meet the rental payments. "We needed to feed the kids, and start them in school," he says. "We couldn’t find a place we could afford anymore. We didn’t have any family in the area to stay with, and I didn't have a job. No one wanted to rent to us."

Eric and Wendy became more desperate to find a place to live; they were staying in motels and with friends. Fortunately, they learned about Housing Hope’s Lervick Family Village in Stanwood and moved into transitional housing there. "This came just in time for us," Eric says. "And we got more than just a place to live. Our case manager understood what we were going through. She gave us a lot of good information on how to get back on our feet.”

“The case manager helped Eric write his resume and showed him new ways to look for a job. She got us into Housing Hope’s College of Hope classes and we learned how to manage our money even better." Wendy says. "She also told us about their Self Help Housing Program and helped us apply. We got on the waiting list."

Eric and Wendy lived in Lervick Family Village ’s transitional housing for about a year, then moved into an affordable-rent unit at the Village when Eric’s new job felt secure and their finances stabilized. "We had a good group of families living there," Eric says. "We could afford the rent there," Wendy adds, “there were lots of things close by for the whole family to do."

After another year, Eric and Wendy had little debt and were able to advance on the Housing Hope Self Help waiting list. They became one of the eleven families in a group building their own homes in Arlington . The building site was close to Eric’s job, so he could go there every day after work. Wendy joined him at the construction site on weekends while friends or neighbors watched the children. "Building your own house is really hard work, no doubt about it", Eric said, “but I’ve never felt better about myself and what I can accomplish. I've learned new skills that I can use. Everyone did this hard work together, so we kept each other going."

"This is home now," Wendy affirmed. “We’re staying right here, with neighbors we already know after a year of working together. “I guess we always knew we’d have our own home, but to build it ourselves… I never thought I would be so proud of my family, and this home.”