Family 2 Family

Habitat for Humanity shines a light on homeowners who are essential workers

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga — With more than 38 million people filing for unemployment during this pandemic, Habitat for Humanity states the COVID-19 crisis highlights why the need for safe and affordable housing is apparent now more than ever.

The nonprofit is known for creating a pipeline for home-ownership.

In the Habitat model, homeowners help build alongside volunteers. Each house comes with a zero-interest loan, thanks to lots of sweat equity.

“Affordable housing in the metro Atlanta area has been a challenge for quite some time,” said Cynthia Jenkins, CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.

Southern Crescent Habitat builds houses in south metro Atlanta. Because of the coronavirus, many build sites are suspended and move in dates are pushed back.

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“It just put everything on a standstill. (We’re) just waiting patiently,” said Habitat homeowner Stephanie Barber.

Many of the homes Southern Crescent has built belong to essential workers and home-owners like Barber: a MARTA employee and mother of three.

“The program is just a blessing,” said Barber. “My kids will be thankful to have their own room, have their own space.”

The nonprofit just launched the “Our Families are Essential” campaign to remind people of our neighbors on the front-line who are struggling to find affordable housing.

“Bringing awareness to the fact that these are the people who we are serving, and they are right now serving you, was so important to us,” said Jenkins.

Kenya Bouie moved into her Habitat home with her daughters eight years ago. She said she is happy to have something to call her own during uncertain times.

“You’re quarantined so that home, that space that you have is so important,” said Bouie. “I’m so thankful to Habitat.”

Find ways you can volunteer with Habitat for Humanity here.

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