in gwendolyn brooks book "home" did papa know they had to sell the house

No, in Gwendolyn Brooks' book "home," Papa does not initially know that they have to sell the house. He is taken by surprise when Mama informs him that they must sell the house due to their financial troubles. Papa is saddened by the news but eventually comes to terms with it and sees it as a way to move forward and start anew.