​Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Hannah's House is expanding its transitional housing options  to include Homes of Hope. The first single-family rental home is under construction in Mishawaka and, by November 2025, a mom and her toddler will transition from the maternity home to the new house. Hannah’s House is hosting a virtual shower for our first Homes of Hope tenant. Feel free to participate! 

THE NEED

For mothers at Hannah’s House, returning to the environments they left behind is rarely a safe or viable option. Many have faced trauma, abuse, addiction, or homelessness, and re-entering those situations risks their family’s stability and well-being.

Unfortunately, moving into independent housing often comes with significant barriers. In St. Joseph County, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment hovers around $900 to $1,100, with some areas considerably higher.

In addition to utilities, childcare, transportation, and basic living expenses, the monthly cost quickly becomes overwhelming—especially for women navigating new motherhood with limited financial resources and support networks.

The financial strain alone can jeopardize their ability to provide a safe and stable home for their children. While Hannah’s House offers ongoing support and guidance as women move to the S.E.L.F. phase of the program, the lack of accessible, affordable housing options creates a critical roadblock for many clients working toward self-sufficiency.

Without stable housing, achieving lasting independence remains out of reach, threatening the progress made during their time in the program.

THE VISION

Homes of Hope helps bridge the housing gap that so many Hannah’s House clients face after completing the program: independent housing is financially out of reach, but returning to previous, often unsafe environments would jeopardize their progress.

The initiative will begin as a pilot with the construction of a single Habitat-built home designed specifically for a mother nearing the end of the Hannah’s House program. It will offer a stable and affordable option at a pivotal moment, allowing the mother to build on her momentum without interruption.

Construction of the home began in April 2025, with completion and a certificate of occupancy expected by September 2025. Located on Queensboro Avenue in Mishawaka and designed by University of Notre Dame School of Architecture students, the 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home will include a full basement and a one-stall detached garage.

Once finished, Habitat will lease the home to Hannah’s House for just $500 per month, plus utilities. This minimal fee will cover maintenance and upkeep, allowing Habitat to reinvest in the future expansion of the Homes of Hope initiative.

Hannah’s House will work closely with the resident mother to arrange an affordable rent, based on her individual circumstances, paid to Hannah’s House to help offset the monthly lease fee. Hannah’s House will also provide continued support. A family may live in the home for up to two years on a graduated rent scale, creating a stable environment for growth, relationship-building, and financial development.

During their residency, the mother will be encouraged to apply for the full Habitat homeownership program, a process that typically takes about one year. If she qualifies, she will fulfill Habitat’s homeownership requirements—including sweat equity and financial training—while continuing to live in the Homes of Hope home.
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The first mother and her children are expected to move in by November 2025, with the possibility of transitioning into a full Habitat home as early as 2027. The pilot home is envisioned as the first of several, creating a broader impact by helping more women and their children achieve long-term self-sufficiency and stable housing.​

THE BUDGET

The total cost to build the first Homes of Hope home is $300,000 A generous $150,000 sponsorship from the Leep Family Foundation has already been secured, and Habitat will raise the remaining $150,000 through community support.

In addition, Hannah’s House is seek donations to furnish the home and sustain their wraparound services, ensuring that the environment is not only safe and affordable—but also welcoming, functional, and well-equipped for families transitioning into independence.

The Homes of Hope initiative is more than a housing project—it’s a shared commitment to hope, dignity, and transformation. By combining the strengths of two mission-driven organizations, this partnership is helping vulnerable mothers overcome barriers, break cycles, and build strong foundations for the future.
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Together, Habitat and Hannah’s House are creating pathways to self-reliance, stability, and generational change—one family, one home, one future at a time.