Gnome Sweet Home

Tiffany is a single mother of three, ages 7, 17, and 18. Like many parents, Tiffany’s main goal was to provide a safe and stable home for her kids to grow up in. 

“My end goal has always been to buy a house,” Tiffany said. 

She has consistently demonstrated resilience and determination. Throughout her career, she has advanced into leadership roles in every organization. She has spent the past decade at her job, starting as a cocktail waitress, moving into bartending, and now in the role of supervisor. This job provided the flexibility for her to explore career growth and pursue a degree. But even with a good job, Tiffany found it hard to find affordable housing. At times, she has had to depend on friends and relatives, including a period living with her sister while recovering from a broken leg. 

In January 2024, Tiffany’s sister was evicted, forcing Tiffany and her family to scramble to find new housing. It was then that she realized how important owning a home was to her, and she began exploring options on the open market. 

“It was discouraging,” Tiffany said about the housing prices in Pierce County. 

In May of 2025, Tiffany’s relator found a Habitat Home listed on the MLS. They went to the open house and learned about how Habitat’s Homeownership program helps families bridge the gaps to affordable homeownership. Though Tiffany was unsure about the program, she attended a Homeowner Orientation. 

After applying and being accepted into the Habitat Homeownership program, Tiffany began attending financial workshops and working on her sweat equity. Her coworkers occasionally volunteered alongside her, donating hours towards her sweat equity. 

“My coworkers were with me through the ups and downs of the process,” Tiffany said. One coworker, Paula, was there from start to finish. 

One day, Tiffany and Paula discovered a garden gnome in the garage of the home they were working on. As renovations progressed, they moved it to the driveway of what would later become Tiffany’s home. Though the gnome soon disappeared, it turned into an inside joke and a symbol of hope. Tiffany’s coworkers began buying garden gnomes and hiding them throughout her workplace. She found them in unexpected places – each a reminder of her strong support system.  

Even after Tiffany finished her sweat equity, Paula continued volunteering with Habitat. At Tiffany’s home dedication

, Paula gifted her a housewarming gnome to add to her growing collection. Tiffany’s children, nieces, and nephews ran throughout the house, excitedly exploring. Her youngest, Ilyanna, was elated to pick out her new room. 

“Ilyanna was so excited about the house,” Tiffany said, “She even told her teacher when on closing day how we were getting the keys to our new house.” 

Tiffany is so excited to put her own creativity into her new home and be able to make lasting memories with friends and family in her new home. 

“I finally have a place to call home,” Tiffany said, “I’ve worked so hard for this and earned it all on my own, and no one can take that away from me.”