CENTRAL REGION
$2.25 Million FCLF financing (2 loans)
Line of credit financing for land acquisition and new construction
44 new single-family affordable homes
“Partnering with FCLF has allowed us to lower costs and maintain our construction schedule in our Juniper Bend community, where families in need of affordable housing can thrive, help each other, enjoy a higher quality of life, and have access to additional services. In the long run, this partnership will help us serve more families, more efficiently.” – Catherine Steck McManus, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County was founded in 1986 with a mission to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat Orlando & Osceola has built, rehabbed and repaired more than 735 homes. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat Orlando & Osceola to build or improve a place they call home.
It has been shown that neighborhoods where most people own their homes have less crime and people are more likely to fix their homes and solve other problems. Homeownership builds stronger families who are:
- 25% more likely to graduate from high school
- 116% more likely to graduate from college
- 59% more likely to own a home within 10 years of leaving parents.
In Apopka, Florida (north Orange County), an old, dilapidated apartment complex was closed amid complaints of deterioration. The County recognized the need for affordable housing in the area, and in 2017 began working with two local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to develop new communities on the site: Juniper Bend and Arbor Bend. Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County – one of these organizations – reached out to Florida Community Loan Fund for construction financing.
With a construction line of credit from Florida Community Loan Fund, Habitat Orlando & Osceola built new homes in Juniper Bend. These single family homes are available for ownership to low-income households, with mortgage payments that are never more than 30% of income. Prior to new home purchase, Habitat families receive financial literacy and homeownership classes, and each family gives back 75 to 100 hours helping build their homes and others in their neighborhood.
The Juniper Bend project will have strong impact in the area. By removing a source of visual and economic blight in the community and replacing it with new single family affordable homes, this project will not only stabilize the surrounding single family neighborhoods in South Apopka, but will also add 10 additional homeowners who have committed themselves to being successful through educational courses and sweat equity. By purchasing homes and becoming residents of the community, these households will also contribute to the area’s economy.
With additional financing from Florida Community Loan Fund in 2022, Habitat Orlando & Osceola will build 19 new, affordable single-family homes on scattered site lots in Orlando’s Holden Heights neighborhood. Affordable homes in this area are especially important, as estimates show that 1 in 2 full-time workers in Central Florida are severely rent-burdened – paying 50% or more of their income for housing. Habitat Orlando & Osceola homes are also energy efficient, saving homeowners money on utility expenses that can be one-third of the total utility bills in older, inefficient homes. A portion of the lots were donated by Orange County, Florida.
A line of credit from Florida Community Loan Fund in 2023 will allow Habitat Orlando & Osceola to acquire land on scattered sites to be developed with single-family homes. This financing helps keep land owned by local residents and preserves opportunities for affordable home ownership.
Orange County, Florida features Habitat Orlando & Osceola in this video.
More about the Holden Heights groundbreaing and project in this video from WESH-TV.
Pictured above, a new home in Juniper Bend from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County. Below, groundbreaking on a new home in Orlando's Holden Heights, inclluding a new homeowner (4th from left).
