GIFFORD — A years-long mission to transform a vacant, 3.3-acre lot into a complex with 14 affordable homes is now closer to becoming a reality. Construction for the single-family homes at Gifford Gardens will start this month, said Trevor Loomis, president and CEO of Indian River Habitat for Humanity.
“This is a real moment of celebration. It warms my heart to see how many people have come out to support this project,” Loomis said to the crowd during a groundbreaking ceremony held on Thursday at the site, 4730 40th Avenue in Gifford. “This is a testament to how important this project is to so many people. Over the years, so many people have had a hand in making this happen.”
Loomis said Habitat for Humanity expects the first mortgage loan principal for the homes to be about $125,000, depending on if the homeowners qualify for downpayment assistance. This amount includes a $20,000 reduction from the original mortgage price.
“(The homes) are not priced like traditional homes because they are not offered on the open market,” Loomis said. “The amount a family will actually repay will be based on their income.”
Loomis said homeowners will pay less than one-third of their income on their interest-free mortgages. The average mortgage payment would be about $1,000 per month.
“We’re able to create permanent stability for folks,” Loomis said. Loomis also said that no one will be given a ‘free’ house and that the homeowners will spend much less than the property’s appraisal amount.
Residents, Habitat for Humanity representatives, Indian River County commissioners, Vero Beach city officials and more delegates attended the groundbreaking ceremony. The local Habitat for Humanity is one branch of a global, nonprofit housing organization that operates in all 50 states along with 70 countries.
The affordable housing project was a partnership between Indian River Habitat for Humanity and Indian River County, along with community stakeholders.
“It has absolutely been a team effort,” Loomis said. “None of this happens without the collaboration and community that comes when we all work together to ensure a world where everybody has a decent place to live.”
The grassy lot where construction will take place was once a thriving apartment complex dating back to the 1960s. Throughout the decades, the apartments fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished by Indian River County in 2011.
“We’re taking a site that was demolished 14 years ago and will provide affordable housing for decades to come,” Loomis said.
Loomis said the new homes will be high-quality, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. The residences will also have improved drainage, new floor plans, native plant beds and hurricane shutters along with metal roofs.
Each home will have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a one-car garage. The Pelican Island Audubon Society will place about 1,500 native plants on the property, said Dr. Richard Baker, board chair for the organization.
Loomis said the home building mission helps to battle the housing affordability crisis.
“It’s hard for people to excel and grow when they’re struggling to make ends meet,” Loomis said. “It’s hard to afford a home on a normal income. Sixty-one percent of Indian River County residents pay more than one-third of their income on housing.”
Community leader Linda Morgan, who has served on the county’s Affordable Housing Committee since 2016, said she remembered when Gifford Gardens was once a safe haven for families. The new homes will further enhance the quality of living in Gifford, Morgan said.
“This has been a long time coming,” Morgan said. “(Gifford) is small, but unique. These homes are going to be very beautiful for our community.”
County officials listed the site as a surplus property after the original apartments were torn down. The county then put the land out for bid through a request for proposal process.
Habitat for Humanity submitted a proposal to build homes at the property. The nonprofit won the bid.
Indian River County approved the deal with Habitat for Humanity in Oct. 2022, officials said.
Construction for the new homes will be completed in about 18 months, Loomis said. Loomis said Habitat for Humanity is hoping to be finished by Dec. 2026.
Habitat for Humanity is still taking applications.
Those looking to purchase a home at Gifford Gardens must not earn more than 80 percent of the area’s median income, Loomis said. Applicants also must either live or work in Indian River County.
The mortgages cannot exceed 30 percent of the owner’s monthly income.
Loomis said the affordable housing project was a commitment to step out on faith.
“We started this project without knowing how we would make it happen. This project has been an absolute testament that when we have faith, we can make anything happen,” Loomis said. “Our God always provides. God’s love doesn’t leave anybody out…and mine shouldn’t either.”
For more information, call Indian River Habitat for Humanity at 772-562-9860 or visit the organization’s website.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
