First-time homeowner Tara Bredow knows what a tremendous difference Habitat has made in her life and the lives of her four children.

On Jan. 22, Bredow and her children moved into their new Habitat home at 402 W. Washington Ave. in Alpena.

She said moving into her new home was “wonderful.”

“It was a long time waiting,” Bredow said. “We lived in income-based” housing.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Construction Supervisor Brian Shumaker works on the back deck at the Merchant Street home being prepped for a family to move into within the next few weeks.

The family is so excited to be living in their own home instead of renting. They have more room, and they love the neighborhood.

“We all are happy and ecstatic to just have something to call ours,” Bredow said. “I feel more accomplished, because I never thought that I’d be able to buy a house.”

Bredow lives in the new home with her children Savannah Kamyszek, 16, Cooper Knapp, 14, Landon Knapp, 9, and Micah Knapp, 5.

“It feels great not having to worry about other neighbors next door, and having to quiet down,” said Cooper Knapp. “And this house is a lot bigger than what we were staying in before. I just really appreciate it, what they did for us, and everything that we have now.”

Like all Habitat homeowners, Bredow did her part in putting in sweaty equity during the construction process of her new home. She also works full-time at MediLodge Greenview in Alpena.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley An American flag flies on the front porch of the newest Habitat for Humanity home on Merchant Street near McRae Park in Alpena.

Bredow said the application process went so smoothly, thanks to Habitat for Humanity staff.

“They are wonderful,” Bredow said of Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan. “I didn’t know about that program until my cousin told me. And they’ve helped me so much, they’ve answered all my questions, they’re all friendly. I would advise other people to do it. When I applied, it went really quick.”

She said some of the perks of homeownership are “not being so crowded, and being able to do what we want with our own house and yard.”

The home was built to align with some of the architecture of the surrounding homes, many of which are historical homes, along Washington Avenue, according to Ted Fines, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan.

Across town, on the north side of Alpena, another Habitat for Humanity home is near completion on Merchant Street near McRae Park.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The bathroom of the Habitat for Humanity home on Merchant Street near McRae Park in Alpena

A family will be able to move into that home within the next few weeks.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley A hallway leads from the kitchen and living room area to the bedrooms at the Habitat for Humanity Merchant Street house.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Rolls of carpet await installation in one of the bedrooms in the Merchant Street house.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The kitchen of the Habitat for Humanity home on Merchant Street near McRae Park in Alpena.