Habitat for Humanity surprises Firebaugh families with approved homes

FIREBAUGH, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Homeownership, once out of reach, became a reality for four Firebaugh families Friday.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Fresno Area surprised them with the news during a groundbreaking ceremony at the San Joaquin Villas subdivision.

“I know that this is the moment when their lives are going to change forever,” CEO Ashley Hedemann said.

The organization broke ground on seven new homes. They gathered four applicant families under false pretences to help them turn the dirt.

“They were thinking they were coming to physically see what was going to be built on these lots and decide whether they want to move forward with us,” Hedemann said.

Instead, when each family walked up and pulled back the cover on their personal poster board, they saw a picture of their very own house – fully approved.

“Pretty shocking. We didn’t expect it,” new homeowner Maria Quinteros-Rivas said.

Quinteros-Rivas stood next to her husband and two children, beaming over the promise of a new home. She says her young family is outgrowing their apartment, and they weren’t sure if they would ever be able to afford a house.

“I just want to have a home for my children to play in, you know, and be able to feel safe,” Quinteros-Rivas said.

Habitat for Humanity made that happen.

It’s not just a new life for the families, though; it’s a new life for the entire subdivision. Hedemann says it was left dormant and incomplete by a developer several years ago.

“That’s when we were approached by the city of Firebaugh and they asked, ‘Can you help us bring hope back to this community by completing the subdivision alongside the existing homeowners and future homeowners for this subdivision?’” Hedemann said.

Hedemann says the process is a hand-up, not a hand-out.

Each family will help the contractors build their home. They will also be responsible for paying an affordable mortgage. However, the group is getting $900,000 to help with their down payments.

Officials say the construction will finish by the end of 2026.