Completing her family’s path to homeownership included the help of community partners

For Tia Reaves, who works in environmental services at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the thrill of coming home to the house she helped build in 2021 never gets old.

“What I love about my house is just a feeling I get once I get off work,” said Reaves, who built her home through Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, which partners with local families to build, and then purchase, affordable homes. She pursued this opportunity after learning about it through a housing fair at work that included the hospital’s longtime community partners, including Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity.

Her home’s exterior — gray vinyl, burgundy shutters, a porch and green lawn — is perfect for seasonal decorating. “I go home, and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is my house!’ I remember when there was nothing on the inside when we were first building,” she said. “It didn’t look as big as it does now that it’s up. It’s big and spacious.”

Reaves approached the homeownership process with hard work and confidence, knowing she had the support of Novant Health and community partners. At Novant Health, we recognize that well-being starts at home. That’s why we are steadfast in our commitment to addressing social determinants of health, like housing, in our coastal region.

This housing opportunity opened a new door for her family — her son, Justice, and daughter, Amiyrah. It meant the very first place of her own, after apartment living. And — the best part, as far as her children were concerned — it meant outside playtime, which they didn’t have before. Their home includes a huge backyard and sits on a cul-de-sac, where Amiyrah can roll on her wheels of choice — her skates one day, her scooter or hoverboard the next.

We know that a safe, stable living environment can have an enormous impact on our health. Connecting our people and our patients to important health and social resources remains a top priority for Novant Health.

This story is featured in Novant Health’s 2021 Community Impact Report. Read more about Novant Health’s work to promote health and wellness through community benefit.