State Farm awards $5,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County has been awarded $5,000 from State Farm to use toward building and supporting affordable housing in the Central Florida area.
Habitat Orlando & Osceola works to increase access to affordable housing in the Central Florida area by providing ways for families to own safe, affordable homes, receive critical repairs and undertake homebuyer educational courses and mentorship.
Florida residents now need to make $24.82/hour – a $51,619 annual salary – to afford a two-bedroom rental at fair-market value, according to a recent National Low Income Housing Coalition report. Half of Orlando’s workforce makes below $17.59/hour. Nine out of 10 of workers in essential occupations, such as ambulance drivers and teaching assistants, are unable to afford a one-bedroom rental.
“There are a lot of reasons why our community is suffering from one of the worst housing shortages in the country,” said Catherine Steck McManus, President and CEO of Habitat Orlando & Osceola, “and we have to work collaboratively in ways we never have before if we are going to reach solutions.”
“This grant embodies the spirit of what our company has been about for the last 100 years, about giving back and being a good neighbor,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “We are excited to continue supporting Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County efforts to help build affordable homes in our communities.”
About Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Driven by a vision that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County builds and repairs homes and strengthens communities. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat Orlando & Osceola to build or improve a place they call home. Habitat homeowners help build their eventual homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Working together by donating, volunteering, or becoming an advocate, everyone can help members of their community live in safe, affordable homes.
Habitat Orlando & Osceola is one of Habitat for Humanity International’s affiliates working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the United States and in more than 70 countries. To learn more, visit HabitatOrlandoOsceola.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.