Martin Family

Alison has no storage space or comfortable area to relax in her apartment. Most of her everyday items stay in her living room. The apartment has one exit/entrance, no closet, and only one window. "I have nowhere to keep my clothes or spend time with my family," shared Alison. "It doesn't feel like home." Alison is currently working as a custodian at Lee University and Hampton Inn as a housekeeper while living in a studio apartment with less than 600 square feet of living space.

Alison was born and raised in Cleveland, Tennessee alongside 12 siblings and her mother. Alison has enjoyed staying in Cleveland, but the cost has been too much for her after struggling financially for years when her mother passed away in 1998. Alison fell into a loop of loans and financial struggle until one of her sisters helped pay her debt and held her accountable. Alison is looking forward to her housing journey and grasping more practical skills to save and understand money. "I always felt like if I saw something I wanted to buy, I had to right then and there," Alison said. "It was a hard habit to break."

Alison also loves to cook and is looking forward to having more space to host. She is even teaching a few of her nieces how to cook her highly favored turnip greens. She loves making people laugh, reading and traveling. Having the space, to do what she loves will be life-changing.

Alison heard about Habitat through Cleveland's local paper. After seeing the ad, Alison prayed and decided to apply for the homeownership program. "I just trusted God," shared Alison. "I prayed, prayed, prayed." Alison is already envisioning her new home and what staple pieces of furniture she will have, mostly leopard print, of course. “The first thing I will do in my new home is thank God for it. Cry tears of joy, too," said Alison. "Then bring my leopard print chair out of storage. My favorite chair."