Williams Company will build the family of four’s home in two weeks during our Home for the Holidays event

When Shuprina thinks back on where her homeownership journey started with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, she has to laugh a little.

“I applied for Habitat originally – hold on to your socks – 10 years ago,” she said.

To qualify for homeownership, applicants must meet certain criteria — currently a household income of $2,800 a month and 640 credit score. This is to ensure new homeowners will be able to pay a mortgage payment that is no more than 30% of their income.

The first time Shuprina applied, about a decade ago, she didn’t meet the income requirement. She decided to apply again last year, but that time, her credit score held her back. She worked hard to correct a few issues, applied one more time, and got approved.

“They say third time’s the charm,” she said. “Honestly, I’ve never taken my credit as seriously as I’ve taken it in the last year.”

Her Home for the Holidays

The single mother of three children is Habitat Orlando & Osceola’s 2021 Home for Holidays homeowner. Habitat Orlando & Osceola partner, Williams Company, will build Shuprina and her family’s house over the course of two weeks in December. She’ll close in early 2022.

“I’m really humbled and grateful for the opportunity,” Shuprina said. “I’ll own something affordable, won’t have to worry about losing or going into foreclosure. It’s beautiful and in my budget.”

The family is currently in a crowded three-bedroom apartment, with her two daughters sharing a room. Her rent increases most years, and she’s ready to have a fixed monthly mortgage payment.

Owning her own home will also allow her to build equity, and she’ll have something to leave her children.

“I’ve never experienced homelessness, and I never want them to have to worry about that,” she said.

Inspiring her children

Her oldest daughter is 30 and has cerebral palsy. “I call her my little human jukebox – everything that’s on the radio, she knows it,” she said. Her middle child, her other daughter, is 20, and is the bookworm of the family. Her son, who she calls “the baby” despite his protests, just turned 18.

Throughout Shuprina’s homeownership journey, her children have watched her overcome obstacles and make many sacrifices to achieve homeownership. She hopes that it has shown her children that anything is possible. “You can do it … if you want a home, you can get the home through hard work and sacrifice,” she said.

She also hopes that being a part of a “real community” will benefit all of them.

“When you own your home, it’s totally different. …  You truly love thy neighbor,” she said of the camaraderie and bond among homeowners.

Expanding her business

Her day job is as a pharmacy service representative for CVS Pharmacy. Her side passion project is her fledgling small business, Everythinggurlsluv, making custom “very girly” items out of epoxy such as coasters, table decor, resin clocks, and other keepsakes. “If they don’t glitter or shimmer, it’s not mine,” she said with a laugh.

Her new home’s garage will give her space for her inventory and proper ventilation to be able to safely work with the epoxy and accompanying fumes.

“The business couldn’t blossom like I wanted because I didn’t have the space,” she said.

“I see myself and my vision for everything expanding from the thought of being in my own home.”

Shuprina is looking forward to all the firsts in her new home – cooking her first meal, mowing her lawn, even taking out her trash.

“It’s going to be a different feeling because it’s going to be my home,” she said. “It may be corny but it’s so true – Home is where the heart is.”

Apply for Homeownership: Habitat Orlando & Osceola offers energy-efficient three- or four-bedroom homes, customizable options and affordable mortgages. Learn more and apply >>

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