After trying to find affordable housing for years, Nik (they/them) has become one of the newest Habitat for Humanity homeowners.
Nik has lived in Burlington since 2005, and they have had a tumultuous journey in finding houses. They have lived in apartments with regular police involvement, drug use in the neighborhood, and insufficient heat during the winter. One time, they moved four times in one year.
“I love young people, but it is it is sometimes odd in this town when you can only live with people who are less than half your age because you need to have enough roommates to make it all work,” said Nik.
When Nik saw the opportunity to live in their favorite area in Burlington, the Old North End, they knew they had to apply. It was exactly what they wanted. It had enough space, it was in a neighborhood they loved, and it was affordable.
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity began building the home in late summer of 2023. From the time they applied, Nik started biking by the house to see the progress and take photos of the construction in hopes of being chosen.
Finally, in November of 2023, Nik was selected as a future homeowner of the Habitat house they had been hoping for. Alongside community members, friends, and generous volunteer groups, Nik soon began completing their sweat equity hours to help build their home.
“I can’t think of a time when I’ve ever wanted to write so many thank you notes,” said Nik. “It’s an amazing thing to look around and at every place you look, there’s a story. The sense of connection is so deep. You know when a door went up and how much of a pain in the neck a particular piece of sheet rock was. It’s an amazing connection with a phenomenal group of people.”
Wall by wall, nail by nail, piece by piece, the house came together and was completed in about 10 months. This energy-efficient house has three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a full basement. Most importantly, this house is affordable.
Nik (they/them) sits on the porch of their new home.
Nik moved into their home in late summer, and they are looking forward to making their home their own. Nik is excited to work on new creative projects and decorate the house with unique, funky decorations and artwork.
“I’m just excited for a lot of the everyday stuff, you know,” they said. “I’m still getting used to all the new sights and sounds here.”
Nik has described this feeling of stability as something so freeing and rejuvenating, as if their muscles were able to truly relax. With a home of their own in a place that they love, this new beginning opens a new chapter for Nik to build equity, become more connected to the neighborhood, and have a stable place to live.
“It’s amazing to have, more than anything, the stability of the roots in this neighborhood that I love and that I’ve been in for so long,” they said. “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a whole new start.”
Gone are the days where Nik has to move frequently, pay expensive rents, and live with several roommates just to afford rent. Now, Nik is the proud owner of their very own home.
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