Brangmai Hpauyam and his wife, Merry, have been building their lives here in Vancouver since 2014. He and Merry are from Myanmar, and were relocated through the Refugee Resettlement Program. When Brangmai and Merry arrived in the United States, they had with them their daughter, Tsin Mai, who was only 3 years old at the time. None of them spoke English, making the transition a challenge. Despite these challenges, Brangmai was able to find a steady job and apartment for his family.

Within these first trying years, Brangmai and Merry also experienced many bright times. They continued to build their family with the births of two more daughters, Lulumai and Toysam Mai. The family of five quickly outgrew their small two-bedroom apartment, and as the sole income provider, Brangmai could not keep up with the huge rent hikes year after year. They were already stretched thin, paying 45% of their income on housing alone.

Brangmai, Merry, and their daughters are happy to call McKibbin Commons their home. Merry loves to garden and enjoys the new space their home provides. Tsin Mai has dreamt of her own bedroom that she has now painted pink, with a desk where she can do her homework. Brangmai works swing shift at Leatherman, and is grateful to have a quiet place to rest on his time off. These small details, provide the greatest joys in their new Habitat home.