More Family Success Stories Contact: Homeowner Relations (650) 568-7322 housinginterest @peninsulahabitat.org Home Family Success Stories The Wilson Family Wilson Family Enjoys New Beginnings Chris and Ashley Wilson have been blessed with two recent additions to their family: a new baby and a new home. Last fall, when the couple discovered that they were expecting their second child, Chris knew that it was time to find a more suitable home for a growing family. Chris originally came to the Bay Area from London, England almost thirty years ago. Ashley is a California native who grew up in San Diego. They enjoy living in the Bay Area but, like many families, have found it difficult to make a life here. As an electrician and a part-time musician, Chris has worked hard to provide for his family, but the area's notoriously high cost of living has been a challenge. However, as a self-described "hard head," Chris never considered relocating the family. Chris first heard about Habitat for Humanity back in the 1980s, though it only occurred to him to apply for a home after he saw an advertisement last November for new homes being built in Brisbane by Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. They knew immediately that they should apply. To their delight, Chris and Ashley were accepted after submitting an application, and looked forward to beginning work on their new home. They have been living in Marin with their four year old daughter, Gillian, but Chris' daily commute to South San Francisco left him little time to spend with his family. Now, with a new baby joining the family, a boy named Leland, Chris is looking forward to making a new home in Brisbane which is considerably closer to his work. "I can take my kids to the park when I get home from work and not be so tired," says Chris. He adds that "these are the years that you cannot get back." Peninsula Habitat for Humanity requires that all homeowners complete 500 hours of "sweat equity" as part of the purchase of a new home. While this was often a challenge for the Wilsons given Chris' work schedule and the birth of their new baby, Chris insists their time at the construction site was worth it, and has even been fun. After finishing the sweat equity program, Chris plans to assist his new Habitat friends in building their own dream homes as well. Meanwhile, the future looks bright for the Wilson family. Chris and Ashley will raise their growing family in a comfortable Habitat home and a supportive community. Chris says that he simply wants his family to have a "happy, comfortable life," and knows that owning a Habitat home will provide his children and wife with a sense of safety and stability. To read more about Habitat families, please click here.