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Habitat meets growing need for affordable housing

By Staff | Aug 11, 2011

To The Editor:

A recent article in highlighted the difficulty faced by many low income families in Lee County: rents here are some of the highest in the nation, averaging $996/month for a two-bedroom apartment.

While home prices have fallen dramatically, most low income families cannot qualify for a mortgage in today’s stricter underwriting climate. The solution?

Habitat for Humanity. In the last 10 months, 506 families have attended a Habitat orientation session, hoping that Habitat can help them to own a decent, affordable home. In that same 10-month period, Habitat has been able to help 62 families earn their own home, and 30 more families are working their way through the program. In nearly all cases, each family’s new mortgage payment is significantly less than their former rent payment.

By the end of this fiscal year in September, Habitat expects to achieve our goal of helping 70 families achieve the American dream.

But there are hundreds more families whom we could help if only we had the resources. Please, help Habitat help our local low-income families help themselves. Make a donation today.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ mission is to provide affordable homeownership to low-income individuals with zero interest mortgages. Partnering families must commit to 250 sweat equity hours, pay $1,200 toward closing cost and qualify for a mortgage. Habitat provides a hand up, not a hand out with the ultimate goal of eliminating substandard housing in our communities. For further information call (239) 652-0434 or visit www.habitat4humanity.org.

Debby Steele

Director of Communication Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Inc.

Fort Myers