IXL Social Enterprise Case Studies Housing January 2012 | Page 5

Revolutionizing the way to make housing affordable for everyone

A Hand Up
Alverna Walker’s mother passed away when she
was just seven years old. She suddenly found herself
raising her siblings and searching for a stable place
to live. After living in a small house with sixteen
family members, at 16 years old, she moved into her
late great grandfathers home. She recalls, “It was like
a shack, with no real running water and bathrooms,
indoor toilets.” She continued living there until, in
1981, Alverna and her three daughters applied for a
Habitat house. Now Alverna is proud of her children
and their families, but she is also proud of herself.
Alverna has had the opportunity to go to college. She
is an ordained minister and went back to school to get
a Master’s degree in early childhood education. In
her own words, “Your environment is who you are.”
Habitat has reshaped Alverna Walker’s environment
and given her and her family the chance to succeed.

Figure 3. Population Housing Needs Distribution
Financing is difficult to secure for