In 2020, Shy made a decision that would change her family’s life—she applied for a home through Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Before that, she and her family of five had been trying to buy a house, but every place they looked was just too expensive.

They were living in a small, cramped space that didn’t meet their needs. There wasn’t enough storage, and their oldest and youngest sons had to share a room so small that they couldn’t even fit two twin beds along with their dressers. Winters were especially hard—the pipes in the house kept freezing. On top of all that, they had no yard for the kids to play in. The high rent added more pressure to an already difficult situation.

“It doesn’t feel like home there,” Shy said. She never imagined she would own a house, so the possibility felt both overwhelming and exciting. “I was scared at first,” she admitted. “But I went for it. You get to call somewhere a home—and that is so worth it.”

Going through the homebuyer classes not only helped Shy prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership, but also helped her come out of her shell and be more social. “If you really need help with something, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity will help you,” she said gratefully.

Now, everything feels different. Shy’s children are overjoyed at the idea of decorating their own room, and they're excited about finally getting a dog. Shy said, “They are most excited about having a forever home.”