UTHealth Houston builds a house with Habitat

TV cameras were rolling as Annissa Adams and her two sons cut the ribbon on their first home.

“Today is the culmination of work, celebration and gratitude,” Annissa said, standing in her new driveway with a wide smile. “I’m ready to create something for my children.”

A longtime administrative assistant at a local preschool, Annissa said she previously was unable to find stable housing she could afford.

“I started by living with my mother. The three of us were in the back bedroom of my mother’s house,” she explained. “I tried to rent a house, but the rent kept increasing. Then I moved to another house, but there too the rent continued to increase.

Houston Habitat for Humanity

After struggling for years, Annissa turned to Houston Habitat for Humanity. She began a 16-month journey that required 250 hours of capital work and additional hours of financial literacy counseling.

As a title sponsor of Annissa’s home construction with KPRC-TV and Houston Habitat for Humanity, UTHealth Houston and UT Physicians employees spent a day at the construction site raising the frame in January.

“A team of us helped put up the walls,” said André Casas, senior vice president of UTHealth Houston and chief operating officer of UT Physicians. “It’s a way for us to give back to the community where we already provide health care services.”

“Stable and safe housing is essential for physical and mental health,” said Amar Yousif, MBA, vice president and chief information officer for UTHealth Houston. “Our partnership with KPRC-TV and Habitat for Humanity demonstrates our belief that every individual deserves a chance to live a healthy, productive life, and it all starts with a place to call home. »

Their new neighborhood

The planned community on Houston’s northwest side provides housing for low-income families. Most of the homes are developed by Houston Habitat for Humanity.

Planting roots in this particular neighborhood is particularly important to Annissa. His son Donavan already attends the nearby high school, the same school where his oldest son Evan graduated in the top 15 percent of his class.

“The future is about being active in the community, involved in the HOA, involved with neighbors and planning events,” Annissa said. “My blessings are definitely showing today.”

A look back at the big reveal of Annissa Adams’ northwest Houston home.