Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Meet the Chan Family

After 10 years in the United States, the Chan family is finally getting their wish. Originally from Hong Kong, the family immigrated with the hopes of providing a better future for their children and having a home of their own.

"It has always been our family’s dream to live in our own home. Without Habitat, our dream would not come true," Chiu says.

The family is very active in their church in San Leandro and enjoy spending time together outdoors through picnics and barbeques. They’re also involved in their community and are excited about living in the Kinsell Commons Development in Oakland. Already they’ve made friends with their neighbors and have even continued to work onsite and donate hours to another partner family in sweat equity.

Chiu and his wife, Sau Lin, have two grown children, Ada (24) and Roy (23). Ada, a University of California-Davis graduate, has returned to school to become a Certified Public Accountant and volunteers her free time as a tax preparer while Roy is finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Roy wants to use his degree to give back to the community and has already demonstrated his desire to help others by serving as Vice President of the Cantonese Student Association, a group that helps students adjust to American culture.

The Chan family currently lives in an unaffordable apartment in a neighborhood plagued with crime and robberies. Although it has always been their desire to own their own home, the high home prices in the Bay Area made it impossible. Fortunately, friends of the family told them about Habitat’s program and encouraged them to apply.

"We are really glad to know about the Habitat housing program, and we feel very lucky to get selected to become a homeowner," Chiu says.

Knowing how difficult it is for families in their situation to buy a home, Chiu and his family want to stay involved with Habitat and help others realize their dream. Whether it’s helping out on the construction site, translating at an HOA meeting, or serving on the Family Selection Committee, the Chan family will be a valuable asset in helping Habitat to serve low-income East Bay families.