Then & Now: Afua's Story

Homeowner: May 2016

Afua Stingley moved in her Habitat home on May 20, 2016, and she recalled the journey with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley as a wonderful experience. It was an experience that taught her much about financial responsibility and budgeting.

Afua said she feels less stress after becoming a homeowner. She feels a sense of security and at ease knowing that her house is more affordable. Knowing that even if she were to lose her job, she could still be able to afford homeownership while working a minimum wage job.

Afua said her life has changed in so many positive ways since closing on her Habitat home. She said that she has gotten physically healthier, has less mental stress, enjoys her neighbors, purchased a new car and improved the financial stability of her family.

Afua went back to school for a better education and obtained a new job with a higher income. The financial stability allowed Afua to save money, which she said is setting a better example for her children. She said the future is brighter for her and her family.

Prior to Habitat, she felt bleak. She had lost her home to foreclosure in 2008.

“Habitat was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life,” Afua said. “It taught valuable world lessons.”

The only regret Afua has that she wishes she had the experience with Habitat much sooner. She loves the fact that when she makes a mortgage payment it actually pays of the loan and not just paying off interest. Afua said she appreciated the financial education Habitat provides for its recipients, such as budgeting and using a spreadsheet to keep your finances in order.

Afua still remembers the day she received her Habitat keys, fitted with the Habitat key tag. She said that day she closed on her house was so memorable. She really enjoyed the fact that she could do some custom stuff to her home, and she felt empowered to learn how to do small fixes around the house.

She appreciates Habitat for teaching her about the construction of the house and how to be more self-reliant in fixing up small projects around the house.

Afua’s home was sponsored in 2016 by the John and Renee Stanton Family Fund and Habitat for Humanity University of Michigan Campus Chapter.