The price of unaffordable housing is more than money. For Tony, the price had been his independence.
For years, as rent prices climbed, Tony was forced to live in apartments that did not accommodate his motorized wheelchair, which he used to move around his home.
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of having a space that was made for me to be independent, because it’s very frustrating and disheartening to live in a place that’s not accessible to you. Daily tasks like showering and cooking are difficult when your home is not equipped for people with disabilities. Getting in and out of a bathtub is a painful and tiring process. I just took my pain pills and tried to manage. Some days I didn’t want to deal with it, so I’d wait to go to the gym and shower there.”
With Habitat KC, Tony had the opportunity to build an accessible home to support his unique needs and has, in the process, created a space that is so much more than an affordable place to live.
“Having a home that is accessible to me means the world to me because it means that I can live the life that I want and be independent. I’m also able to cook more easily and get around my home freely. Without the accessibility that was provided, my only alternative would be to move into assisted living or a nursing home. I am forever blessed and thankful for the services that were provided to me by Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City.”