More Family Success Stories Contact: Homeowner Relations (650) 568-7322 housinginterest @peninsulahabitat.org Home Family Success Stories The Castaņeda Family Current Habitat Homeowner Helps Friend Become Homeowner Too He saw the flyer on the bulletin board in the lunch room. Although it caught his eye, he didn't allow himself to pay much attention to it. The flyer said something about owning a home, but as much as he and his family wanted to own their own home, it seemed impossible. Jhovany Castaņeda had worked the 12-hour night shift at the warehouse for the past five years and was still barely making ends meet. He wanted to move his family out of his mother-in-law's basement, but simply couldn't afford it. Even if his wife, Daysi, went back to work as a medical assistant, the extra money she'd earn would just have to go towards daycare. So, he worked at night and she watched the children - Jhovany (7) and Joshua (3) - during the day so he could sleep. It seemed like they were stuck living in the basement, or so they thought. One day last February, Jhovany's friend, Juan Rodriquez, asked Jhovany if he'd seen the flyer about Habitat homes in Brisbane. A Habitat homeowner since 2005, Juan explained that the flyer was from Peninsula Habitat, an organization that could help Jhovany's family build and purchase their own home, and encouraged him to apply. "We called the homeowner relations department and said we were interested in applying for a home," Jhovany said. "They sent us a pre-qualification form that we filled out and mailed back. Then we were invited to an orientation where we received an application." The Castaņedas filled out the application, submitted their financial paperwork and participated in a family interview. Then they waited. "We hadn't heard from the homeowner relations department in a few months so we decided to call," Jhovany said. "They said, 'We were planning to send you a letter, but we'll give you the good news over the phone. You've been selected to be a homeowner in Brisbane!'" more >