NEW ORLEANS CHURCH VOLUNTEER WINS HGTV’S 2023 URBAN OASIS HOME: ‘TEARS STARTED ROLLING’ (EXCLUSIVE)

The keys to the cozy Louisville, Kentucky bungalow are officially being handed over to winner Phyliss Jackson-Polk

HGTV’s 2023 Urban Oasis home has officially found its new owner!

The winner of the charming Louisville, Kentucky, bungalow is 73-year-old New Orleans resident Phyliss Jackson-Polk, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

Along with taking home the keys to her newly-built abode (designed by HGTV’s Brian Patrick Flynn), she'll also receive a 2023 Mercedes-Benz, $50,000 from sweepstakes sponsor Viva and a 5-year supply of paper towels.

Jackson-Polk couldn’t believe she finally won the grand prize after entering all of the network’s home giveaways twice each day over the last few years. In the video above, her nephew Lloyd, his wife Tash and Flynn came over to surprise her with the news.

"My aunt Phyliss, she's always been a pillar of strength for our family," Lloyd tells Flynn in the clip. "She's always been the one to go to if you needed someone to talk to."

The group then heads over to Jackson-Polk's home and Tash and Lloyd greet her at the door. Once she sees Flynn, she says excitedly, "I know you!"

"I feel on top of the world," Jackson-Polk says as the news sinks in and she hugs her family.

“I never thought this would happen to me. I thought it was a prank until I saw Brian at my door,” she adds in a release from HGTV. “Tears started rolling down my face because it was just so surreal that this was actually happening to me.”

Jackson-Polk is a deaconess at her local church and currently lives in Louisiana with her husband Clark. Her family says she deserves a big win like this since she’s constantly giving back and spreading positivity in her community, per the release.

She was randomly selected from over 73 million entries following the sweepstakes entry period from Oct. 2, 2023 to Nov. 21, 2023.

PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the Kentucky escape in Sept. 2023 once Flynn completed the final design touches. Built by Twin Spires Remodeling, the home features four bedrooms and two full bathrooms.

Some of Jackson-Polk’s favorite qualities of the home are the yellow door that reminds her of “sunshine” and the upper deck porch where she plans to drink her coffee in the morning.

The open-concept first floor makes the space perfect for entertaining. Another hidden gem is in the kitchen where a secret door that blends into the midnight blue cabinetry opens into a powder room.

The entire space is outfitted with touches of Southern charm that Flynn said “melds the natural Kentucky landscape with modern, city living.”

He continued, “Louisville is a big, small town, and the HGTV Urban Oasis captures the energy of the city through its nods to local culture and colorful, comfortable spaces that act as a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city."

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Louisville is nestled on the Ohio River and is home to the famous Kentucky Derby as well as Whiskey Row, the former hub of the bourbon industry, on historic Main Street.

The city is known for its bustling downtown that boasts a wide variety of dining, entertainment, festivals, music events and more.

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2024-03-28T13:05:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd