A Home of Their Own: The Spencers
For the last 14 years, Jack and Sherry Spencer lived in a home given to them by family members. A modest home, the Spencers didn’t have near enough room for their three boisterous grandchildren, who often came to stay with them.
“The heating bills have been so high, too,” Sherry said. “And we just wanted to own our own home.”
When Sherry saw the home HDA built for her daughter, she and her husband decided to explore their options with the agency.
Luckily, the Spencers were selected for the Community House Raising event, where community members volunteer to help with construction. Support from event sponsors and HDA donors and funders made the event possible as part of our push to serve 1,000 families in 10 years.
Without this event, couples like the Spencers, who are on the lower end of low-income, might not be able to afford a home of this size.
“I don’t know why we were chosen, but I’m glad we were!” Sherry said. “I was surprised how fast the house was built, once they got started.”
Construction on the home began in October 2019 and continued through Christmas.
“They had to get the land ready,” Sherry said. “They’ve done a lot of work really fast! And I didn’t know that all of those volunteers would come and help like they did. There were a lot of hard workers!”
“We’re just so happy,” she added. “I love the inside of the house! There’s so much space. My grandkids are all so excited, too.”
“I just appreciate it all so much. We’re just really happy!”
The Spencers make their home on Sixteenmile Creek in Perry County.
In March, the Spencers took part in a special Home Dedication ceremony, where their home was shown to the community and the couple was introduced as new, first-time homeowners. Jack and Sherry moved into the home on March 5, 2020.
If you’re interested in HDA’s Homeownership Program, click here to get started now!
