It is a beautiful time at Rosewood Way in Agawam as Way Finders has begun welcoming our newest neighbors. When creating new affordable housing, it takes many years of development—from securing funding and doing construction to screening applicants and selecting tenants—to reach this step.

“Crossing this finish line with all of the new families and being there to hand them the keys and say, ‘Welcome home,’ is so deeply rewarding to our team,” said Way Finders’ Vice President of Compliance Amanda Bubon. “It gives us the opportunity to witness the impact that securing affordable housing has on our tenants. More often than not, our team members cry tears of joy with our new families as they realize they now have a home where they can thrive! Moments like these refresh our drive and commitment to creating affordable housing. We are most thankful to be part of this incredible experience.”

We spoke to a few residents on the cusp of their move-in dates to capture their reflections. Thank you, Melissa, Amber, and Alexia, for letting us share in your excitement.

“That’s a pretty setup!”

When Melissa’s number came up during the tenant lottery drawing for Rosewood Way earlier this year, she started crying on the phone.

“I was really excited,” said the mother of two teen daughters. “We’ve been homeless for a year now, it has been a little bit of a struggle. We’re really excited to have our own place again. We’ve been in and out of hotels, family’s houses. I had to be apart from my daughters for a little while, but we still had our family bonds.”

Melissa is most looking forward to cooking and already had a meal in mind for their first night.

“I just want to fry up some chicken, I haven’t made chicken in a long time. I want to bake some macaroni and cheese,” said Melissa. “We haven’t seen inside yet. But we peeked in the windows. The kitchen is gorgeous. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty setup!’”

Now that she has been working, Melissa was feeling confident as she picked up her keys.

“I feel like I’ve got this!” said Melissa. “Stable employment and housing. Now we’re all whole. Just happy to get to move in somewhere stable and warm for the winter.”

“It’s a perfect location, at the hub and the heart of everything important in our lives”

For Amber, a mom of two teens, Rosewood Way’s proximity to her church, gym, and extended family are major pluses. But the biggest thing she is looking forward to about her new apartment is having privacy and space—for herself, her business, and her kids.

“We lived with my mom in Granby for the past seven years. It was cozy but overcrowded. My room was in the basement, I had no windows, no doors. Everything was makeshift,” said Amber, a personal trainer. “To just have a home where I can close the door for privacy, where I can have my own space and breathe. We’re not going to be overcrowded in the kitchen when we’re trying to cook. It feels like I’m finally moving into adulthood, if that makes sense. It’s like, ‘Yes, I’m an adult and I have teenaged children.’”

She has worked hard to get to this point. When she left her ex-husband 12 years ago and moved to Massachusetts from Colorado, she felt like she had nothing.

“I had no job, no car, no phone, no degree, no plan. It was just me, the two kids, the dog. And I had like $500 to my name,” said Amber. “With the economy, it has been impossible to afford a three-bedroom. We moved in and out of my mom’s over the years. We get along really well and I love being with her. But it’s hard when you’re a grown adult living under the same roof as another grown adult who is your mother.”

To finally get a place of her own is a huge deal, Amber confirmed, and the location in Agawam is ideal: “Rosewood Way is a perfect location, it’s at the hub and heart of everything important in our lives.”

“So quiet and peaceful here”

“Today is the day, today is the day! I’m ready to move in, give me the keys!” joked Alexia, moments before she moved into her three-bedroom apartment. “It has been a long process, and I wasn’t familiar with it. Now that I’m finally done with the process, I’m anxious. I haven’t seen inside it yet. I want to see, I want to know!”

From what Alexia did know about her new home when we spoke, it was clear that it feels different in all the right ways.

“The kids get their own rooms upstairs, I know they’re going to be happy about that, especially my 12-year-old! That’s a big thing and a new change for us,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the first night’s sleep. It just seems so quiet and peaceful here. I’m excited for that!”

She was also excited to know she will be able to control her own heat and AC, instead of having to open windows when the heat cranks in her apartment and she can’t turn it down.

Prior to moving to Rosewood Way, Alexia was paying what she felt was a lot of money for a little space.

“I was paying $1,500 for a two-bedroom in Springfield. It was literally like a flat with four rooms, two bedrooms, living room, kitchen. I’m just excited to have more space,” said Alexia. “I’m grateful for the opportunity. This is my first time ever living in a townhouse and living in this type of area. It’s a blessing to be able to afford to live here in Agawam.”