For Mike and Candis, home has become a place where their daughters can simply be kids.

Over the years, housing challenges and unexpected setbacks — including a house fire — forced the family to move repeatedly between rentals and social housing. Through it all, they remained focused on providing a safe space for their four daughters.

In 2024, their housing worries lifted when the family moved into a five-bedroom rehabilitated Habitat home. Once in need of significant restoration, the century-old house was purchased below market value and carefully updated, creating an affordable homeownership opportunity for Mike and Candis.

By restoring existing homes, Habitat helps preserve affordable housing stock and create homeownership opportunities for more families — more quickly and sustainably. For the first time, each daughter has a bedroom of her own, providing space to learn, grow and enjoy a sense of independence.

"The girls each having their own room has made such a difference. They have space to be themselves." — Candis, homeowner

Thanks to their improved financial security, the girls can experience more small moments of joy. They can participate in school activities like pizza days, celebrate birthdays with a little extra excitement, and make their rooms their own. In their new home, family movie nights, holiday decorating and everyday moments have a place to unfold.

For Mike and Candis, the greatest gift isn't having a house — it's having the space to create memories together.