“After many issues and frustrations with our living situation, getting accepted into Habitat was like a weight lifted off our shoulders.”
For Michael Riley and Lacey Paiva, the journey toward homeownership in the Habitat program has been filled with hope, hard work, and excitement. Together for over 13 years and engaged for nearly five, Michael and Lacey are raising their three children—Deondre (17), Maliyah (14), and Tyson (11). As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Advent Health, Lacey spends her days caring for others, while Michael works as a driver for World Electric. Their shared dream has always been to provide a safe, stable, and spacious home for their family.
Over the years, the family has faced several challenges with their current living situation. “We’ve been living in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, and it’s been very overcrowded for the five of us,” Lacey explains. As the children grow older, sharing rooms has become increasingly difficult, and the family’s limited space has made everyday living a struggle. “The cost of living and rising rent made it nearly impossible to find anything affordable for our family,” she adds. Despite these hardships, Michael and Lacey remained hopeful and took a leap of faith by applying for the Habitat for Humanity program.
When they received the news that they had been accepted into the program, they were overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. “At first, we were so excited, in shock, and in disbelief. I cried tears of joy! I thanked God,” Lacey recalls. Being a part of the Habitat community has already been a transformative experience for the family. Lacey has volunteered on build sites and found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. “It’s amazing what you can learn in a short amount of time from so many people.”
Michael and Lacey look forward to the many positive changes their new Habitat home will bring. “We will be more financially stable and have a foundation for our children to secure them a successful future,” Lacey says. The couple envisions making countless memories in their new space, where each child will have room to grow, play, and thrive. “We’re looking forward to opening the door and finally saying, ‘We did it. This is our forever home,’” she beams. The new home represents a fresh start, peace of mind, and the fulfillment of a long-standing dream for their family.
The Riley-Paiva Home is sponsored by
