At a recent Donor Appreciation Reception at Holy Cross Parish Hall, Trevor Loomis, executive director of Indian River Habitat for Humanity, personally thanked supporters and gave an impassioned presentation about the accomplishments made by the nonprofit over the past 30 years.
“This community has a very generous donor base, making it one of the largest Habitat organizations in the country,” said Loomis. “Out of about 1,200 Habitat for Humanity branches, Indian River is number 20.”
Over the past 30 years, our local Habitat has built 420 homes and helped more than 2,000 families achieve their dreams of home ownership. Loomis proudly announced that this Habitat raised $1.6 million last year, even in the midst of the pandemic, and built 14 homes.
Additionally, they repaired 71 homes, 14 of those for veterans, and provided scholarships for 59 students.
“We are facing challenges with building costs rising 30 percent and lumber costs soaring 200 percent, but we are still planning on building four more houses than we did last year, expanding our school program, and launching an early childhood education program. This is the way to create generational change,” said Loomis.
“Home ownership empowers working families, providing them with strength, stability and self-reliance, by giving them a place where they can grow. Families get a hand up, not a handout, in this program, where homebuyers can use sweat equity for a down payment and receive an interest free mortgage.”
Habitat homeowner Bruno Soltic said that as a divorced father of three, he faced insurmountable obstacles in his quest to purchase affordable housing.
“I am so grateful to Habitat for Humanity for helping me secure a safe home for me and my children. I am working as an adjunct teacher at Indian River State College and as a driver at Quail Valley while I finish up my education. I never would have been able to afford it if not for the sweat equity down payment and zero interest loan.”
Acceptance into the program is determined by an applicant’s needs and their ability to pay for and maintain a home. They must complete 300 to 500 sweat equity hours, meet a monthly savings requirement, and attend financial management and homeownership classes. Much of the work is accomplished by the future homeowners under the guidance of skilled volunteers and staff members.
On April 2, Habitat will hold an island-themed fundraiser at the Grand Harbor Beach Club to celebrate 30 years of building and revitalizing communities, with proceeds helping to build and repair more homes, while expanding the futures of Habitat homeowners and their dependents through scholarships.
For more information, call 772-562-9860.
Photos by Kaila Jones
