‘Home Provides an Opportunity, and It Helped Me Find My Voice’
Terri Francis knows what it’s like to be homeless. When she finally was able to have a stable home, she found more than shelter.
Francis discovered her voice.
“Home is a place to make memories, a place where family gatherings happen,” Francis said. “When you don’t have those things, when you’re not able to have a roof over your head to create memories and experiences, it creates a void in your life. Home provides an opportunity, and it helped me find my voice.”
As chair of the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, Francis dedicates her time to empowering families to find that same security through the Habitat Homebuyer Program.
Habitat homebuyers are selected via a detailed application process that reviews income, debt, work and credit history. Prior to the Family Selection Committee meeting, applications are reviewed by a qualified loan originator using industry standards for underwriting. Those applicants who meet the strict underwriting guidelines are then forwarded to the Family Selection Committee.
“By the time we receive the applications, we have this decision we need to make to see who is going to be our next Habitat partner to purchase a new home,” Francis said.
During the application process, the committee does not see the names. “We see numbers,” Francis said. “But when it all comes together, you see families getting their keys and you’re looking at them and their little ones face to face. It grounds you and comes full circle and reminds you of the mission of Habitat.”
Francis has recruited four new members to the eight-person committee, who bring what she calls “new energy and new expertise.”
The need is always greater than the number of homes available. A land shortage in Habitat’s service community prevents the affiliate from building as many new homes as it would like.
“We look at every application holistically,” Francis said. “We go down the list and have very diligent conversations about each family. We give every applicant the same amount of time, the same amount of attention until we come to a consensus. The meetings are long, but these families deserve the time.”
“It’s beautiful when they learn they’ve been selected,” Francis said. “Some families are in shock. It’s a grounding moment.”
Francis gets to know many of the families when they participate in Habitat’s homebuyer education workshops or during their (sweat equity) volunteer hours.
The home dedication ceremonies are her favorite part of the job.
Francis recently attended a dedication ceremony, where she met a mother who would be purchasing her first home. Spending one-on-one time with that mother touched her.
“She was just very appreciative,” Francis said. “We hugged a lot because I’m a hugger. She told me she was so grateful for the work the committee does. That was actually something I had not heard from a homebuyer. It encouraged me to shift around my calendar so I’m always going to be there to be part of that kind of day.”
Francis’ career has been in housing after a childhood when she faced homelessness many times. She moved often, living in shelters and public housing.
“This is something that I’m not only called to do, but I have to do,” she said. “It gives me an opportunity to be a voice at a table for families that may not have that opportunity or that courage.”
Francis drew inspiration from becoming a teen mother and wanting better for her daughter.
“I started in public housing and now we’re homeowners,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy. Part of the encouragement and the confidence I have comes from being a member of the Habitat family and seeing that there are possibilities.”
She tells families they can get out of public housing. They can break unhealthy generational cycles.
“I was a first-generation high school graduate, first-generation college student, first-generation homeowner, “ Francis said. “I want my kids to continue that thread. Having that home of my own provided a voice, opportunity, and confidence.”
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact
Terri Francis’ story is just one of many that showcase the power of Habitat for Humanity’s mission. As Habitat PGW celebrates 40 years of building homes, communities, and hope, we’re sharing 40 inspiring stories of the people, families, and organizations whose lives have been changed through this work.
Volunteers like this play a crucial role, but the impact wouldn’t be possible without generous donors as well. Whether you make monetary donations, give of your time at the ReStore, support home builds or donate furniture, every contribution helps create decent, affordable housing for those in need.
Stay tuned for more stories of transformation, and if you’re inspired by these stories, consider joining our mission—whether by volunteering, donating or simply spreading the word. Because together, we’re building more than homes. We’re building hope.
