After nearly three years in the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program, Melody O’Bryan finally got the keys to her new home on Sunday. She and two of her children will soon move into their brand-new house, the first completed home in Cargill Corner, one of the latest projects for the local chapter of Habitat.
For O’Bryan, the journey to homeownership has been anything but easy — but that makes this moment even more meaningful.
“It means a lot,” she said. “It’s been a long process. It wasn’t easy. I put in a lot of work while managing kids, grandkids, work, and Habitat requirements. It was hard, but it feels so good to finally be here and ready to move in.”
Like all Habitat homeowners, O’Bryan didn’t just receive a house — she worked for it. The program requires families to invest “sweat equity,” putting in at least 100 hours of hands-on work at construction sites before receiving their own home.
“Melody is no exception,” said Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County Executive Director Jeremy Stephens. “She’s faced employment changes and difficult times along the way, but she’s done two things: she’s shown through education that she’s going to be a great homeowner, and she’s put in the work to get here.”
O’Bryan’s current living situation — a duplex on Lewis Lane — is a step up from her previous government-assisted housing, but she said nothing compares to having a home of her own.
“I’m super excited,” she said. “I wish it hadn’t taken me this long — I’m 45 — but at least I get to experience it now. I get to be a homeowner and see what that’s like.”
Habitat celebrated O’Bryan’s milestone with a house dedication on Sunday, a tradition marking the completion of each home.
“Habitat’s tradition of house dedications is very meaningful,” Stephens said. “Our organization strives to serve the community in the largest way possible, but it’s also important to pause and thank God for what has been accomplished.”
O’Bryan’s home is the first of four in the Cargill Corner project, which sits on land donated by Owensboro Grain Cargill. The remaining three homes are expected to be completed by May.
“Creating equitable opportunities for our community requires resources, and we appreciate the support from Owensboro Grain Cargill,” said Habitat Board Chair Dr. David Danhauer. “Affordable housing is always going to face barriers — funding, property acquisition, materials — but because of our supporters, we’ve been able to keep building for 36 years.”
Stephens added that every Habitat home represents a community-wide effort.
“We are so blessed to have community partners, volunteers who show up to help build, and donations to purchase materials,” he said. “None of this would be possible without the people who give their time, talents, and treasures. I always love to see the tears of joy from our new homeowners and the smiles from our volunteers as they see how their work has changed a family’s life.”
For O’Bryan, that moment will come later this week. Her home will be fully furnished on Friday thanks to the Alma Randloph Charitable Foundation, then she’ll finally get to move in — marking the end of a long journey and the beginning of a new chapter.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped me get this house,” she said. “I really appreciate everything they’ve done.”
