But on Thursday, there were smiles (and some tears) as her new Clifton Avenue three-bedroom, two-bath home was dedicated in front of community leaders.
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“She’s been a great partner to work with,” said Vince Chase, board president of the Fuller Center.
The Clark County Fuller Center for Housing’s mission is to make homeowners out of hard-working, low-income families — many of which have already given up on the American Dream of home ownership.
The home was a joint partnership between the Fuller Center and Neighborhood Housing Partnership. Construction for the home started in November but had been delayed because of weather.
Crowe said she never thought owning her own home was a possibility.
“When I signed the papers, it was really emotional,” Crowe said. “(My realtor) gave me a plant for the house, and I broke down.”
Crowe will be living in the home with her granddaughters, Cymber Crowe and Brittany Alexander.
“I decided to go through this program so that I could get somewhere where they could stay for the rest of their lives and it could be theirs,” Crowe said.
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The Fuller Center has constructed or remodeled more than 50 houses for families in need since 1990. In order to qualify for the program, applicants must meet certain requirements, including income eligibility guidelines. The total household income for the family has to fall between 30 and 80 percent of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s median income for Clark County.
Chase said the estimated monthly payment for Crowe’s home is very affordable, and the house has energy efficient features that make utility costs also relatively low. Chase also said there is a property tax abatement on the house for 10 years.
Crowe didn’t sleep well Wednesday night before the dedication because of her excitement.
“I was up every hour on the hour,” she said.
But once she moves in, she and her granddaughters will finally have a permanent place to rest their heads that they can call their own.
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