Like many organizations, we at Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County are working through some changes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our office closed to the public in mid-March, with our build sites closing to our amazing volunteers not long afterward. The need for affordable homes only continues to rise, leading us to come up with some creative ways to show our homes to interested future homebuyers.
So far, one constant thankfully remains: Our future homeowners can close on their Habitat homes.
Some of these homeowners have worked for more than a year to fulfill their partnership agreement with Habitat by taking homeownership classes and completing sweat equity. They may have lived in cramped, unsafe or unaffordable homes – that may have gotten even more uncomfortable as stay-at-home orders were issued in our area.
We celebrate all of our homeowners who achieve their dream of homeownership – especially during these turbulent times. Below you can read more about the homeowners who have recently closed on their Habitat homes. Thanks to our supporters, 37 women, men and children in our community now have a safe, affordable home.
Lana
Lana closed on her home the week that Habitat Orlando & Osceola closed its offices. This mother of four wrote in her initial Habitat application that she believes this home will allow for stability and closeness.
Christina
Christina also closed on her home the week that Habitat Orlando & Osceola closed its offices. This family of six moved from an overcrowded apartment to a more spacious Habitat home.
Lavonne and Nathaniel
When we first met Lavonne and Nathaniel a few months ago, they and their five sons were living in a two-bedroom rental that regularly needed serious repairs.
At the end of March, the family of seven closed on their safe, affordable Habitat home. Read more of their story on our blog. >>
Juliet
While undergoing her homeownership journey, Juliet looked forward to watching her children 8-year-old daughter, Juliana, and 2-year-old Romeo, grow into their new home. Juliet was one of our Builders Blitz 2020 homeowners. Jack Jennings & Sons, along with their subcontractors and vendors, donated the cost of their home. Read more of her story on our blog. >>
Eliezer and Yosmarily
For Eliezer and Yosmarily, moving into a Habitat home means that their family life with daughter Yosmeli will be more comfortable. This couple was one of our Builders Blitz 2020 homeowners. K. Hovnanian Homes, along with their subcontractors and vendors, donated the cost of their home. Read more of their story on our blog. >>
Carol
Carol went from a Habitat volunteer to a Habitat homeowner – and crew leader. After years of unstable housing situations, she was ready to become a homeowner. Carol is another of our Builders Blitz 2020 homeowners. Her home was constructed in just 5 days, thanks to Park Square Homes. Park Square, with their subcontractors and vendors, donated the cost of her home. Read more of Carol’s story on our blog. >>
Cherish
Becoming a homeowner before turning 30 years old was on Cherish’s bucket list. She’s a few months over her goal but still excited to become a first-time homeowner.
Mahadai
Mahadai’s previous house, a studio apartment, was just too small for quality family time. She looks forward to hosting Sunday dinners again with her children and grandchildren – now in her Habitat home!
“I believe (homeownership) will make my family united as it was before,” Mahadai wrote when she first joined our program.
Jade and Rosalyn
When they first joined our program, Rosalyn and Jade wrote that they were looking forward to leaving their previously overcrowded living situations. They hope their new affordable home allows them to limit overspending and save more money for emergencies.
Wanda
When we first met Wanda, she told us that “anything you set your mind to, you can do it.” Wanda set her mind to becoming a homeowner – and she has accomplished that goal, thank to you! This local teacher and mother of three can now give her children the sense of homeownership and neighborhood that she experienced growing up.
A special thank you is necessary for Pulte Homes. This builder, along with their subcontractors and vendors, donated the cost of Wanda’s house – and then had it built in just 5 days for our Builders Blitz event! Thank you!
Joelle
Joelle described homeownership as a coming-of-age accomplishment when we first met her.
She’s now achieved this rite of passage as well as the security of homeownership for herself and her three children. Owning her own home will give her children a blueprint of sorts, Joelle said.
“I feel like it’s just going to show them that it’s doable,” she said. “Anything is possible if that what they want, they can achieve it.”
We want to continue our homeownership program, along with other key services – but we need your help. When you donate to Habitat Orlando & Osceola, every dollar helps us build homes and work toward a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to live. You can make bring hope home through homeownership; please give today.
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