Congolese refugees tapped for Missoula Habitat for Humanity home

(KPAX) Habitat for Humanity recently announced the two families who will be working to live in its next homes.

One of those families came to Missoula as refugees from the Congo and now will get to live out the American Dream in the community they love.

The Lumonas are a family of six who came to Missoula from the Congo three years ago.

Now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity, they will own their first home and sink their own roots down in the community -- achieving one of their goals.

“One of their dreams is to own a home here in Missoula. They are really connected with our community, they really want to stay, but home ownership is hard," said Soft Landing Missoula deputy director Molly Cottrell. "So this is a great opportunity for them to have a path toward home ownership and to be able to really put roots down in the community here."

It's an opportunity that the Lumonas -- and one other family are receiving -- because they fit Habitat for Humanity's criteria.

“It’s based on the need for a home, but also readiness. Because home ownership is a dream that a lot of people have, but not everyone is at a point of their life where they can take that on necessarily," explained Habitat for Humanity spokeswoman Hannah McDaniel. "So there is a financial component. The family that we partner with actually purchases the home for an interest-free mortgage."

The Lumonas are now eagerly awaiting their new home.

“They are so excited. They have four little kids, they just need space to ride a tricycle around, have a yard of their own have space of their own, so I think that this is just a wonderful opportunity for them,” Cottrell said. “And they are really just grateful and excited.”

Habitat for Humanity hopes to have the Lumonas in their home by next year’s holiday season. The organization still needs to select the location of the home, which will be the next step in the home building process.

They are currently finishing up this year’s two homes and hope to have those families into them by December.