Thank you for sharing the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. For the next 35 years, we must continue to be change makers, adaptable advocates and visionaries for affordable housing. Thank you for the contributions you have made over the past 35 years. Together, we build.”
These were my closing words at our 35th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting held at the end of January this year. At the time, I would never have predicted the challenge we would soon face. Just a few months later, we now find ourselves adapting to a crisis that will have a ripple effect on our community for years to come.
As a builder of affordable homes and a lender of affordable mortgages, over the years, we have continually adapted to the changing regulatory requirements imposed for home construction and mortgage loan compliance. We constantly evolve to innovate and improve. Our organization’s resilience to adapt and respond are being tested in ways we never imagined. We rely upon our foundation of experience to adapt quickly to the emergency guidelines and to respond to the needs of our homeowners.
We have shifted our program focus from building to homeowner services. Our focus now, more than ever, is on nearly 200 of our homeowners who have a zero percent interest mortgage with Habitat Sarasota. For most of our Habitat families we are their safety net.
In the past few weeks, we have heard from dozens of families that have been impacted by job loss and reduction in wages. We have heard their stories of impact of COVID-19. Many of our homeowners are on the front lines in our grocery stores, food service workers, and work in our hospitals and nursing homes. Their livelihoods are now in question and they are already struggling with their basic household expenses.
Habitat Sarasota has implemented a mortgage loan deferral program for our homeowners that have been impacted by COVID19. Mortgage loan deferral is intended to provide peace of mind and much needed financial relief.
What sets Habitat Sarasota apart is our unique model. The relationships that Habitat Sarasota builds with our homeowners last a lifetime. Over the course of a family earning their sweat equity and fulfilling their program requirements, we build bonds that endure beyond the home closing date.
For the past 35 years, Habitat Sarasota has continually adapted to the changing needs for families who need permanent, affordable housing. Be the One for Habitat Sarasota. Please support our Habitat families by giving during the Giving Challenge. Your support will help our operations provide relief to families that need it right now.
Be The One to help us support our families,
Renee Snyder
President & CEO
