In 1992, Curtis and Stephanie Gross purchased their Habitat home in South Miami for $35,000.  Sixteen years later, they sent in a special mortgage payment—their very last one.

“It feels good,” he says about owning his home outright.  “It’s one less bill to pay.” Had it not been for Habitat for Humanity, Curtis says, they never would have been able to afford the house in the first place.

But getting his home wasn’t easy; the 300 hours of “sweat equity” were difficult.  Despite the tough labor, Curtis says he gained much from the experience, especially the camaraderie with his fellow homeowners and neighbors.  “Walking down the street…years later, you can still say hello.”

Curtis has maintained one especially close relationship from his Habitat experience. Lucius McGriff was one of the volunteers who helped to build the Gross family home back in 1992. Now Lucius is Curtis’s employer and friend.

With their final payment, Curtis and Stephanie now join the other 26 other Habitat families who have “burned their mortgage papers.”