On Thursday, January 30, viewers tuned in to the latest episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to watch a deserving Houston-area family receive the gift of a lifetime — a brand new Taylor Morrison home. As CultureMap has previously reported, the home was curated and organized by this season’s hosts, The Home Edit’s Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, ensuring a fully-customized, turn-key delivery for the family.

The Elrod family suffered a devastating loss on August 29, 2023 when a house fire claimed the lives of 71-year-old beloved grandmother Cornelia Elrod and the family’s “sweet little cat” Dexter. While nothing can replace the loss of life that occurred during the fire, their community rallied behind the Elrods and nominated the family to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which ultimately led to a brand new home.

CultureMap spoke to recipients Regina and Maurice Elrod to find out more about the family, their experience on the show, and what really happens when the cameras stop rolling.

The Elrods are not only a resilient couple, they are also accomplished, go-getting, multi-hyphenates who contribute to their community immensely. Regina is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works as an eighth grade counselor at Katy I.S.D’s Cardiff Junior High. She also heads Grow Through It Counseling, a private therapy practice in Katy. As shown on the show, she enjoys woodworking and has won Morton Ranch Elementary’s Volunteer of the Year award twice. Maurice is a Brand Director for the Houston Texans who continues engaging his creativity outside the office via filmmaking, screenwriting, and directing thrillers and dramas.

Regina and Maurice, along with the rest of the family — Trey, who is at the San Francisco Academy of Arts; Jalen, attending Purdue University; sixth grader Samiah; and niece Connie, a student at Prairie View A&M University — have been thrilled to be in their new home.

“We were ready for a fresh start,” says Maurice, noting that it was merely a few days past the first anniversary of the fire that they received their new home on August 24, 2024. “That morning, when the bus pulled off, it took a lot of planning. They hit it on the head — it was a home run. It was really cool.”

He adds that when the keys are handed over, they come with a keychain that reads “Keys to Happiness,” saying “It feels good because it’s true — they are the keys to happiness.”

Now, five months into the experience, the family has settled in nicely. “It’s more efficient,” Regina says of their new Taylor Morrison home. The space has been nice as well, with Regina sharing that the family “loves to cook and watch movies in the theater room.”

As for how she likes the design and decor of the home, Regina loves it and appreciates the skills of everyone involved in the process, saying: “I’m a sporty, wood-shopping, mom and wife—I can’t design things. They [the team] are amazing! It’s a beautiful home. Even over time I couldn’t have done this. It’s beyond! I was speechless.”

Many people wonder what the experience is really like being on the show, but the Elrods squash any ideas that any part of the show is disingenuous. “That team is so caring and empathetic, it was real. So caring,” says Regina. Maurice makes a point of saying that the experience is ongoing, with those involved in the process checking in on the family often. “It extended beyond the show, that part was really beautiful.”

Another thing the Elrods are grateful for is the addition of a new feline family member. Citizens for Animal Protection assisted the family in adopting a gray-and-white kitten named Star. While the kitty is technically a family pet, it’s young cat lover Samiah who benefits most. “Dexter was her baby,” says Maurice, “it’s nice to have a place for her to have another pet.” Very nice indeed.

The Elrod’s episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is available to stream on Hulu.

Courtesy of ABC

The Elrod family with hosts Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer.