homeownership changes lives

through shelter, we empower

We’d like to introduce you to some families who have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home.

Some have lived in their homes for years, while others are just starting out. All have this in common: Their hard work and partnership with Habitat are helping them achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Meet the Families of Vista Campanario

Saul & Paulina

For years, Saul & Paulina have juggled family life while living apart, unable to find an affordable home big enough and safe enough for their family of six. That all changed in December 2025.

Ruvalcaba Family

For over 10 years, Sonia and her son, Roberto, moved from rental to rental, searching for stability. Each move disrupted their sense of security and made it harder to settle into a routine.

Amanda

Amanda moved into the first home that she has ever owned. “Even if you don’t make a lot of money and you don’t have a lot of things, you can still have a home and be happy and safe,” said Amanda.

Meet our Home Repair Program Recipients

The Arreola Family

Ricardo and Clara needed to make accommodations to their home for their wheelchair-bound son Ulices. It proved to be a great financial challenge until Habitat stepped in to perform critical health and safety repairs on their home.

Joan and Her Family

At 78, Joan has always been an inspiration, dedicating her life to family and community. But her aging mobile home, with 16 broken windows and a crumbling exterior, posed serious health and financial challenges.

The Hurtado Family

Paula and John Hurtado have called their house home for more than 30 years, but time and wear have taken their toll. The roof began to leak, and despite their best efforts, the repairs were simply beyond their reach.

The Medinas

Louis and Gloria have lived in their home in Oak Park for over 30 years. Quickly approaching their 80's the Medinas found rising costs challenging and needed support with critical home repairs required by their HOA.

Preserving Benita's Home

At age 83, Benita could no longer tolerate the high and low temperatures brought on by the summer and winter months, especially with her home in Moorpark lacking proper insulation. Habitat was able to help.

John's Home Repair

"This repair changed my life. I can't even imagine having to shelter in place in my previous circumstances. Thank you, Habitat,"

Improving Judy's Life

Judy lives with her mom in Moorpark. She's also wheelchair bound. Their home did not accommodate Judy's wheelchair. That's when Habitat stepped in with home repairs.

Meet Habitat Families through the years

Eva & Arnulfo

Eva and Arnulfo, together with their three children, were renting a home in Santa Paula that was unsafe and in a critical state of deterioration. Habitat's home repair program provided the support they needed.

Blanca's Family

Blanca and her four daughters have been living in their Habitat home for over seven years. Before moving in, the family of five shared a one-bedroom apartment.

Chavez Family

Crystal had been trying to purchase a home for over five years before she finally applied to Habitat Ventura. Now Crystal and her children will move from a one bedroom apartment into their new townhome!

Changing Children's Lives

Every child deserves a safe home. Low-income Ventura County families have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for their children to grow and thrive. Hear from children, their own words, how homeownership has changed their lives.

WATCH HERE

The Rodriguez Family

Like many young couples in Ventura County, Mayra and Jose have struggled to purchase a home for years. Both their families and their careers are in Ventura County, yet they weren't able to afford a house in the place they’ve always called home.

Barry Street Homes

We’re thrilled to share the dedication of our Barry Street homes, warmly welcoming the Morales-Castro and Lembo families into their new community. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership.

WATCH THE CEREMONY HERE

The Guiza Family

Cesar and his family moved into their Habitat home just in time for Thanksgiving 2016. They describe their life change to us in this video, you don't want to miss it!

The Kirlos Family

The Kirlos family has always dreamed of owning a home but they could never afford the high cost. So, when they received the call that they got a Habitat Ventura home they said their dream was finally coming true.

Laura and her Family

Laura is a hardworking single mom of two boys who has always dreamed of owning her own home. She had been saving for well over 10 years. Now, she is a homeowner and it has changed her and her son's lives.

Julian and his Family

Julian and his family would still be living in a two-bedroom garage if they hadn't found Habitat. Now over 500 labor hours later, on top of working their day jobs, Julian's parents are proud homeowners.

The Morales/Castro Family

Trying to find affordable housing for year, Karina, Roberto, and their two young boys were living in a crowded bedroom before Habitat changed their lives.

The Monreal Family

One of 6 families that moved into their new home in Oxnard in 2018, meet the Monreal Family; Lupe, Sergio and their three children.

Maria's big dreams

Ten years ago, Maria moved into a new Habitat home in Piru with her parents and six siblings. "Building a Habitat home and working with Habitat was the start of many successes in my life and my family’s life."