Winter 2022 HabiChat

Board of Directors

Building a Stronger Foundation

It truly takes a community to build our homes, and it goes far beyond lifting walls and hammering nails.

The work never stops here at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Our thriving programs continue to grow as we work to help our neighbors in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties realize their dreams and own their own homes. Our programs can’t work without the tireless support of each and every one of our supporters and volunteers.

Your help comes in many forms. It’s buying a new dresser at the ReStore. It’s volunteering to help build a ramp for someone living down the street from you. It’s attending one of our community events or shopping at our Women Build Yard Sale. All of these things and more contribute to our mission and our successes.

Darnell

President/CEO

This past fiscal year, our Home Buyer Program helped 41 individuals and families move into their new homes, and we helped 35 existing homeowners stay in their homes by performing critical home repairs through our Community Development Program. We’ve also greatly expanded our HUD Housing Counseling services to continue helping others in the community with their own homeownership journeys.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, supporters, advocates and fans for the overwhelming support you’ve given this organization. Everything we do begins with the buy-in from our community. With your support, we can spend today Building For Tomorrow.

President/CEO

Sam Young,

Gene Franklin Chair

Dawn Brazwell Vice Chair

Mike King Treasurer

Dick Baker Secretary

Michele DuMond

Rabbi Joel Fleekop

Siobhan Gallagher

Brent Hargett

Mike Lanwehr

Matt Newcomer

Dr. Charles Reese

Betty Salter

Sims

Frank Smith

Mike Stahl

Josh Womack

Sam Young

Healthcare professional and current Home Buyer Deidra Lewis and her seven-year-old daughter Areia love to dance and take walks downtown to take in the picturesque ocean views of Pensacola. Deidra is currently in the Home Buyer Program, working her way toward becoming a new homeowner.

The Home Buyer program can be a challenging and intensive process. What keeps you motivated to finish it?

“Entering the program, you are very active, going to different property sites and helping with building or just putting in a window on a home; it assures you that this will one day be my own home. Also, my child motivates me every day just by asking, ‘When are we moving into our house?’ Being able to provide your child with something to have that could someday be their own is motivation.”

What are some things that you’re learning in the program?

“I am learning to be more responsible, open-minded and organized while being in this process of becoming a homeowner. I have learned wants and needs, patience, budgeting, safety precautions and how to prepare for certain situations in life while being a homeowner.”

What is your most signifcant ‘why’ to own your own home?

“We want to live in a neighborhood where we feel safe and welcomed. I want my child to be able to go outside and be safe and have fun. My biggest push to own a home is also being able to call something my own. If I wanted to leave my child something behind that is valuable, it would be a home.”

What would you like people to know about the opportunity provided by the Pensacola Habitat Home Buyer Program?

“It is a great opportunity to learn different things that will prepare you to become a homeowner. The process may seem long, but once you’re accepted into the program, you get to start the process quickly!”

Got Land? We Need It!

by Quinn Luehring, Communications Manager

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has been challenged with escalating land prices, materials and labor since the pandemic began in 2020. It has forced the organization to get creative and dive deep into its resources in order to uphold its mission of providing affordable homeownership opportunities for the community while keeping them truly affordable to meet the demand of so many individuals and families that are desperate for a stable, safe, affordable home.

This is how the idea of the Community Land Trust was born. This new program is designed to give people within 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) a chance to become homeowners by guaranteeing low mortgage prices and reducing property taxes. The value of land represents about a third of the overall cost of homeownership. Pensacola Habitat felt if it could find a way to eliminate the land portion of costs, then it could start serving the individuals unable to get a traditional mortgage.

Here’s how it works: the program asks individuals and organizations to donate land into the trust, knowing that the donated land will be forever available for affordable housing. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will build homes on the donated land. When a homeowner buys a house, they will own the house and lease the land from the trust for 99 years. The homeowner will always have access to the land as long as they own their home. Leases can also be renewed if a homeowner passes the dwelling down to future generations, thus building generational wealth.

If the homeowner decides to sell the home, the lease has a by-law that states the home can only be sold to someone who is also below 80% of the AMI. This ultimately guarantees affordable housing for possible homebuyers in perpetuity. These homeowners will still build equity as time passes, and when they decide to sell their home, they can pull back on the equity and keep it for themselves. It’s a winwin situation!

If you have or know of land to be donated or sold to the Land Trust, please contact Blaise Moehl at 850-434-5456 or bmoehl@pensacolahabitat.org.

Expanding Our Services

by Quinn Luehring, Communications Manager

All individuals purchasing a home through Pensacola Habitat’s Home Buyer Program are required to attend educational workshops to prepare them for homeownership and the responsibilities it brings. Pensacola Habitat has recently extended opportunities to everyone in the community by becoming a HUD Housing Counseling Certified Agency, one of only two agencies in the entire panhandle.

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity now offers HUD Housing Counseling courses to help individuals who are looking to purchase a home learn what to expect when buying a house, budgeting, how to establish and maintain good credit, how to select the right insurance, the ins and outs of the closing process and so much more.

After completing the workshop, attendees are awarded a certificate that is accepted by multiple lenders to receive down payment assistance once they are ready to purchase a home. This is just another example of how Pensacola Habitat provides affordable housing opportunities to our community members, even when Pensacola Habitat isn’t building the home.

Aside from home construction, home repairs and educational workshops, Pensacola Habitat takes it one step further to benefit those they serve. Pensacola Habitat partners with a local business, Picked at Perfection, to build garden beds alongside some of our homeowners.

A homeowner participating in this project learns the process of growing their own produce during a one-hour tour, picks out their own vegetables and produce to grow, receives an at-home installation consultation from a trained gardener, and receives a consultation on what to plant next! This initiative allows homeowners to be self-sustainable and grow their own produce to benefit their own health.

At the end of the day, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity creates, preserves, and promotes homeownership because a safe, stable home affects every part of an individual’s life — health, education, wealth and economic opportunity.

Work for a Cause, Not for Applause

“No one should have to experience homelessness, but my family did...working with Pensacola Habitat gives my husband and I hope that we will one day make our family’s dream a reality too!”

-

“Whatever your skill level or talent might be, the store can use your assistance. I’ve been volunteering for about ten years. You can volunteer any time your schedule allows. Look forward to seeing you if you are interested!”

-

“I volunteer with Pensacola Habitat because I get the opportunity to see firsthand that what I am doing is making a difference in our community, and I get to work with the amazing staff and executive team. It feels like family.”

- Laura Campbell, Event Committee Member

Lakesha Davis, Volunteer Photographer

Joe Szulczewski, ReStore Volunteer

Ninth Women Build Sets Records for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity

by Maria Del Aguila, Development Associate

It was another eventful Women Build season for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity this year, as 161 Women Builders joined forces to raise money to support Pensacola Habitat’s mission and raise awareness for affordable housing. The financial goal was surpassed, ultimately raising $102,626 collectively for the first time in Pensacola Habitat history!

This year’s Women Build Home Buyer, Latoya Evans (right), works as a personal banker to provide for her and her five-year-old son, Jamias. As a child, Latoya’s living space was crowded and her parents worked multiple jobs to support their family. She will become the first person in her family to own a home!

Around the end of the fundraising season in October, Women Builders gathered at the famous Graffiti Bridge and with the help of local artist, Joseph Seurkamp, they painted the bridge pink to officially announce the beginning of Women Build Build Week!

The Women Build Celebration followed at McGuire’s Irish Pub, where over 50 Women Builders were in attendance to celebrate their incredible accomplishments, recognize the work put in by some of the top fundraisers and launch the start of the build.

The individuals and teams came out for Build Week in October fired up, where they hammered nails, learned construction skills and most importantly, left their own marks on Latoya and Jamias’ home.

The 2023 Women Build season will be here before you know it! Join the Facebook group to stay up to date (www.facebook. com/groups/pensacolahabitatwomenbuild2023).

Contact Volunteer Services Manager Karen Buskey at kbuskey@pensacolahabitat.org to get involved!

Pensacola Habitat Soars to New Heights with Second Annual Gala

by Ben Boynton, Communications Associate

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity celebrated recent successes and laid the foundation for an exciting future while raising over $75K at its Second Annual Gala on November 4th at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Themed “Soaring to New Heights,” the evening was an enormous success as Pensacola Habitat continued to forge stronger partnerships and build momentum for years to come in its mission to build homes, communities and hope in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

Nearly 275 guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions and live entertainment from a jazz band, a delicious three-course meal and access to historical exhibits across the museum, which remains closed to the public. The unique program of speakers featured Pensacola Habitat leadership alongside local media personalities, local politicians and supporters.

“Every single person that spoke at or attended our Gala was there because they want to help their neighbors own their own affordable homes,” President and CEO Sam Young said. “We’re

hoping that everyone had a wonderful evening, maybe won something from auctions and left the event thinking about how they can help to make the dream of homeownership a reality for our local families in need.”

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity executed its Gala with strong support from its sponsors, including Anderson Subaru, Cox Communications, Central Credit Union, NeighborWorks America, Northeast Sertoma, A Crown Above the Clouds, Anchor Pest Control, Baptist Health Care, Bill Walther Roofing, Brennan Pest Control, Centennial Bank, Community Bank, Dalrymple Sallis Architecture, Light By Design, Lowe’s, Pete Moore Automotive, Smith Family Carpets, South State Bank and Walmer Air Conditioning & Heating. Other Gala partners included Classic City Catering, Gulf Coast Panorama, the University of West Florida Haas Center, Lewis Bear Beer Company, The Open Rose and the Mary Chavez Quartet.

Stay connected with Pensacola Habitat for updates as we prepare for next year’s Gala! If you’re interested in helping support the Gala as a partner, contact Resource Development Manager Blaise Moehl at 850-434-5456 or bmoehl@pensacolahabitat.org.

Every donation helps a family realize their dream of homeownership

Jameria and William Hauser’s love fills any room they are in. They have three beautiful children, Jamarion, Hasani and Avayah. Shaped by dedication and unimaginable circumstances, the Hauser family’s story is one Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is honored to be a part of.

Earlier this year, their oldest son Jamarion was diagnosed with Batton’s Disease. There is no cure for this very progressive, debilitating disease, and Jamarion will require lifelong care from his parents. The condition causes severe insomnia, loss of sight, stumbling and falling, seizures, and more, and will have him in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. William and Jameria have worked hard to provide for their family and afford Jamerion’s medical expenses. William works full time as a groundskeeper and Jameria recently picked up an overnight full-time remote job to earn extra money while also caring for the needs of her children during the day.

Every donation helps families like the Hausers realize their dream of homeownership. Our extraordinary mission of building attainable, affordable homes and community connection for families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties – families who would not otherwise realize their dreams of owning a home – is made possible through your generosity. Your giving and volunteering lowers building costs, allowing us to build more homes, strengthen neighborhoods and communities, and foster hope. With your help, this year our organization is on track to build 52 new homes and complete 60 home repairs before July 2023! We are so grateful for everyone that helps make our community a better place.