Dream of homeownership coming true for single mother

A year ago, Helen Johnson could only imagine what it might be like to have a bedroom of her own to decorate. Now, as the walls and roof take shape at her future home in Mayport, that dream is becoming real.“It was like a reality check, because I’m seeing it all come together,” explained Johnson as we stood outside her home.Johnson’s home is part of Coastal Haven, a Beaches Habitat for Humanity community off Mayport Road. The project is expected to welcome 44 families when complete.For Johnson, the progress is personal. She has watched her townhome come together room by room and helped with the work herself.“Yesterday, we were putting in that little wall thing, so I worked with that—drilling,” she said, pointing to the cement wall board lining a shower in her home.Beaches Habitat homebuyers are required to complete 300 hours of “sweat equity,” helping build their home and others in the community. Johnson said the experience has been rewarding.“Helping build my own home is wonderful. It’