Habitat for Humanity breaks ground in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood

CHICAGO (WGN) – For the first time ever, Habitat for Humanity is breaking ground in the city’s Austin neighborhood, making the dream of home ownership closer to reality for several women.

As temperatures dip, excitement heats up on Lockwood Avenue were Habitat for Humanity homes are getting closer to move-in ready.

“I wake up every day, I feel I need somebody to pinch we, you know, because it’s happening,” future Habitat for Humanity homeowner Natalie Randolph said.

Randolph was born and raised in Chicago and said she’s thrilled to put on a hard hat and put in work to help build her first home.

“Once you put your blood, sweat and tears into something and you know that you’ve earned it, it means a lot,” Randolph said.

This month, more than 500 Chicago women teamed up for Habitat’s Women Build. Since the early 1990s, the program has shined a light on women coming together to support each other and overcome hurdles women face.

“There’s a pay gap for women. There is unequal lending with women,” Jen Parks, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Chicago, said. “The reality is women can build. I mean, they do every day. We build our families. We build at our jobs.”

Along with becoming a first-time homeowner, Randolph said she’s excited because she’s sharing the experience with a close friend.

“We’re like sisters and the other neighbor, I met her and she’s a really nice lady and we are thinking of making it like a family unit to look out for one another,” Randolph said.

She added she sees her new home as more than a roof over her head, but a launch toward building wealth for her children and a place for her family to connect.

“When I first move in, what I want to do is I told all my family, children and grandchildren, everybody come in from out of town and we’re going to have this big ol’ shindig,” Randolph said.

She and her neighbors should be able to move in next spring. The three homes mark Habitat’s first active build site in Austin.