Rhea Simmons had lived in an apartment for nine years with her two daughters and felt homeownership was out of reach. She learned about Habitat for Humanity from a family member and applied twice before being approved. Through Habitat, Rhea is partnering to build an affordable home that will allow her family financial stability without taking on large debts. Once in their new home, Rhea and her daughters look forward to decorating their own spaces and having a place they can call their own to build a better future.

1. Rhea
Simmons
Future Homeowner Bio
For Rhea Simmons, homeownership didn’t seem within her reach or, at the least, was
a goal years down the line. Now, however, through her partnership with Habitat for
Humanity of Evansville, Rhea Simmons has become less overwhelmed by the
thought of homeownership.
Before Habitat, Rhea’s life was the monotonous drum of work, home, work, home,
working at Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union. She and her two daughters,
Breanna and LeKenna who are 12 and 7 years old, have been living in their two
bedroom apartment for nine years. Nevertheless, homeownership was still on Rhea’s
mind. At first she looked into rent-to-own houses, but the interest rates and condition
of the houses concerned her. Rhea first learned about Habitat’s opportunities through
a family member, a current Habitat homeowner. Amazed by the quality of Habitat
houses, Rhea applied for her own home. After being denied twice she did not give up
and was finally approved. “This is my way to own a home that I can afford and
won’t put me in such debt that I would lose the home.”
Rhea says she has learned how to manage her time and tasks from working on her
sweat equity. Perhaps even more impactful than any other skill, Rhea’s partnership
with Habitat has helped her see into the future and strive for more, pushing her out of
that day-to-day mindset. Her future goals include helping her daughters pay for
college, getting a minivan to transport her active daughters and friends, and taking a
family trip to Disney World in the summer of 2018.
Now, Rhea and her girls are looking forward to starting their life in their new home. In
their excitement, each has picked out her own colors and furniture. While the girls are
excited to have their own rooms, Rhea is excited to own a home and be debt free.
“It’s not just somewhere where I can go. It will be somewhere I can be
comfortable and know that it is mine.”