More Family Success Stories Contact: Homeowner Relations (650) 568-7322 housinginterest @peninsulahabitat.org Home Family Success Stories The Khachatryan Family Peninsula Habitat Helps Brisbane Family Stay in the Community They Love Leili Khachatryan was in the park with her son when she saw it. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her family was waiting for this news. She took down the information posted on the community bulletin board and hurried home. Four years earlier, Simon and Leili Khachatryan's friend worked with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Orange County, California to build and buy her own home. She shared her story with Simon and Leili and encouraged them to apply. However, at the time Habitat wasn't building in the Khachatryan's community of Brisbane. Originally from Armenia, Simon and Leili had been sharing a small one-bedroom apartment with their 11-year-old son, Ara. Simon sleeps on the couch, and Leili and Ara sleep in the bedroom. "Ara is getting older and needs his own room," Leili said, "but we can't afford to rent a 2-bedroom apartment or buy a house because prices are too high." The Khachatryans waited and hoped that Habitat would build homes in their neighborhood. Then Leili saw the flyer on the park bulletin board. Peninsula Habitat for Humanity was building five homes right around the corner from her apartment complex. "I called Habitat immediately," she remembers. "They took our information and invited us to attend an orientation meeting." More than 100 people joined Simon and Leili at the orientation to learn about Peninsula Habitat's homeowner selection and application process. "There were so many people applying," Simon recalls, "we were scared that our chances of being selected were small." With the help of a neighbor, the Khachatryans completed and mailed the application within two days. After qualifying through the financial underwriting process and an extensive family interview, the Khachatryans were selected to become homeowners. "We couldn't believe it," Leili says. "We thought there had been a mistake. We were so happy Peninsula Habitat could see our need for this program. We didn't want to leave Brisbane because we love it here, and now, we can stay as homeowners!" In the months following, Simon and Leili worked hard to finish their 500 sweat equity hours and participate in homeownership training courses. Simon adds, "Working on the construction site was a little scary at first, but the volunteers and staff were amazing. We learned so much in the process, and got to know our neighbors." The Khachatryans moved into their Brisbane home in May 2007. Simon and Leili feel the stability is good for their family. "Brisbane is a good, safe community," Leili said. "There's a sense of stability here and now we won't have to move or worry about the rent going up. We'll have a better future." To read more about Habitat families, please click here.