‘Most amazing Christmas gift’: Habitat brings a Rock Hill mom home for the holidays
Eukanda Cherry will be home for Christmas.
It seemed for while that it might only be in her dreams, but Cherry persevered. Through an already strenuous effort to become eligible for a new home, then a global pandemic, and construction industry supply chain problems. The key comes a year later than expected, but Cherry is glad to have it.
“I’m so grateful for Habitat,” Cherry said. “It’s been a journey. But, you know, I’m here.”
Cherry’s home on Castlewood Circle in Rock Hill is the 80th new construction built by Habitat for Humanity of York County. The group has countless other repair, remodel and similar work throughout the county. More than 20 area businesses helped with Cherry’s home.
Habitat held a dedication service with Cherry on Friday. The official closing comes Dec. 23.
“I would say this is like the most amazing Christmas gift ever,” said Cherry’s friend Danielle Emerson. “Other than life, I would say this is the most amazing Christmas gift ever.”
Cherry is a single mother with a son, 11, who loves sports. Cherry made note Friday of the front and back yards where he will be able to play. Emerson expects her friend to fill the new home quickly once she closes, both with decor and love.
“What an amazing adventure,” Emerson said. “To be this close, two days before Christmas, and actually be in your home and wake up on Christmas day. Something that you’ve given to your son, your family.”
Habitat executive director Tim Veeck said he’s glad closing comes right before the holiday, though it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Cherry’s home was a planned 2020 build. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Habitat hard. There were fewer in-person volunteers, higher construction costs.
“We’ve been able to weather all that, and the homebuyer has been incredibly patient with the process and worked hard through the process,” Veeck said.
The build also comes in a heavy seller’s market, as home values in York County continue to increase. Some entry level homes have doubled in price in the three years Cherry has been working toward hers. While there are positives for existing homeowners, Veeck said there are significant challenges for people in search of affordable homes.
“We recognize that to address the needs, the skyrocketing needs around housing and housing that’s affordable in our community, it’s going to take everyone working together,” he said.
Habitat homeowners have a variety of requirements. One is sweat equity, or work in the program ahead of the lower cost purchase of a new home. Several future Habitat homeowners worked on Cherry’s home, as she did on other projects in addition to hers.
“This is such a beautiful story, such an amazing journey for her,” Emerson said.
“It wasn’t a given at all. She had to earn all of this. Loyalty, dedication, hard work, perseverance — everything is paying off today.”
Habitat has done about 30 home repairs this year in York County. They helped revamp Carroll Park in Rock Hill. The Cherry home is the second new construction this year.
“Because of how much work and effort and time has been involved here, it is particularly satisfying to be here today,” Veeck said.
And done, he said, in time for Christmas.
“It’s just a joy to know that the family will be able to be in the home by Christmas and celebrate the holidays here,” Veeck said. “And that’s the first of many.”
