In The News
Affordable housing is a critical need in Central Florida.
Here at Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, we hear these stories daily from our homeowners. We’re always thankful when they choose to share their journeys with the public as well.
2023
February
Home Dedication Ceremony – February 1, 2023, Orlando Sentinel
January
Orlando Magic, Habitat for Humanity and AdventHealth Partner to Make Local Family’s Dream Home a Reality – January 31, 2013, NBA.com
Rent: $1,803/month. Salary: $1,996/month. Living in Orlando often doesn’t add up | Commentary – January 20, 2023, Orlando Sentinel
Universal Orlando Foundation Donated $1 Million in Central Florida – January 14, 2023, West Orlando News
2022
December
Walmart helps finish Habitat for Humanity’s holiday wish list – December 25, 2022, WFTV
Orlando Magic Surprise Deserving Family With Holiday Gifts During Special ‘Big Give’ Halftime Presentation – December 23, 2022, NBA.com
Affordable housing developers in Osceola can pay impact fees later, commission says – December 20, 2022, Orlando Sentinel
Photos: Hilton Grand Vacations partners with Habitat for Humanity for home build – December 14, 2022, WFTV
Universal Orlando Foundation gives $1 million to Orlando charities – December 12, 2022, Orlando Sentinel
Homeowner gets a home for the holidays – December 9, 2022, WESH 2
Universal Orlando Foundation – Celebration of Giving 2022 Recap – December 2022, Universal Parks & Resorts
November
Habitat for Humanity: Building Homes for a Better Future – November 2022, Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine
Places To Donate On Giving Tuesday 2022 In Central Florida – November 29, 2022, CitySurfing Orlando
Local Habitat for Humanity org accepts crypto donations – November 22, 2022, The Beat – Orlando Inno
2022 C-Suite Awards: &Barr CEO Pete Barr – November 14, 2022, Orlando Business Journal (Pete Barr is our board chair and cites us as his favorite cause)
2022 Giving Guide: Hunger and Homelessness – November 7, 2022, Orlando, The City’s Magazine
October
Bank of America donates 75K to Habitat for Humanity, helps Hurricane Ian recovery – Oct. 8, 2022, WFTV Channel 9
September
Catherine McManus with Habitat for Humanity – Sept. 15, 2022, Regions Business Radio Orlando
Orange pours $50.8 million more into housing strategy that aims to double affordable units – Sept. 14, 2022, Orlando Sentinel
2022 Best Places to Work: Habitat for Humanity Orlando’s tight-knit team has a sense of purpose – Sept. 8, 2022, Orlando Business Journal
August
Best Places to Work Small 25-49 employees – Aug. 26, 2022, Orlando Business Journal
July
Builders Blitz: 6 homes, 5 local builders, July 16, 2022, Orange County Government Update
June
G’s Power Hour – Host Gretchen DS – NHISG Ent. Guest: Catherine McManus – June 27, 2022, G’s Power Hour
Finally, we reveal OBJ’s 2022 Best Places to Work — Part 5. Among them are Hilton Grand Vacations, Habitat for Humanity, Total Quality Logistics, more – June 17, 2022, Orlando Business Journal
2022 State of the Orange County Address, June 10, 2022, Orange TV (segment on affordable housing starts at the 52-minute mark.)
HOPE PARTNERSHIP OPENS HOME COMMONS IN DOWNTOWN KISSIMMEE, FOCUSES ON ENDING HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY – June 3, 2022, Positively Osceola
May
Hope Commons ribbon cutting Thursday – May 31, 2022, Osceola News-Gazette
Interviewing Catherine Steck McManus with Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County – May 27, 2022, Emily Tells All, Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s talk show
Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County helping families be homebuyer ready – May 19, 2022, News 6 WKMG
‘This crisis is only going to get worse’: Many struggling to find affordable housing in Florida – May 2, 2022, WFTV Channel 9
April
Sustainable prosperity through affordable housing | Commentary – April 26, 2022, Orlando Sentinel
More affordable housing coming to Holden Heights – April 21, 2022, The Community Paper
March
Orange County leaders break ground on new affordable housing project – March 30, 2022, ClickOrlando.com / News 6 WKMG
Inicia construcción de viviendas accesibles en el Condado de Orange – March 31, 2022, Univision
Video: Habitat for Humanity volunteers lend a hand for Women Build initiative in Pine Hills – March 2022, WFTV Channel 9
Helping Any of Us Can Help Us All – March 23, 2022, MacKenzie Scott Medium post
Central Florida Habitat for Humanity affiliates get millions for ‘generational’ change – March 23, 2022, Orlando Sentinel
‘Hyperventilating, in tears:’ local Habitat for Humanity chapter receives biggest donation ever – March 23, 2022, WFTV Channel 9
MacKenzie Scott donates $6 million to Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County – March 23, 2022, WESH Channel 2
MacKenzie Scott’s Habitat for Humanity Donation Shocks Local Chapters – March 23, 2022, Newsweek
MacKenzie Scott’s $436 million gift to Habitat for Humanity includes more than $9 million for Central Florida affiliates – March 22, 2022, 90.7 WMFE
2022 Women Who Mean Business: Habitat’s Catherine Steck McManus on the importance of trusting your instincts (Video) – March 16, 2022, Orlando Business Journal
February
Orlando home dubbed ‘Ugliest House’ in nationwide contest | Prize includes $20,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County – February 17, 2022, ClickOrlando.com News 6 WKMG
Racial disparities in affordable housing in Central Florida – February 11, 2022, NewsNight Conversations on WUCF
‘I’m very upfront’: Meet Mable Butler, 95, ‘the matriarch of Black politics in Orlando’ – February 1, 2022, WFTV
2021
DeVos Family Aims to Reduce Housing Insecurity by Donating to Habitat for Humanity – Dec. 23, 2021, NBA.com
Orlando Magic Surprise Deserving Family With Holiday Gifts During Special ‘Big Give’ Halftime Presentation – Dec. 23, 2021, NBA.com
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando surprises family with new home, gifts – Dec. 10, 2021, WESH 2
Habitat For Humanity Kicks Off “Home For The Holidays” Build – Nov. 30, 2021, Spectrum News 13
Orlando Magic, AdventHealth and Habitat for Humanity Provide Local Family Keys to New Home – Nov. 9, 2021, NBA.com
The affordable housing people: Collaboration is needed to find a solution to the crisis – Oct. 26, 2021, Orlando Business Journal
The affordable housing money: Rising costs make Orlando construction ‘next to impossible.’ Here’s why. – Oct. 25, 2021, Orlando Business Journal
The affordable homes: Central Florida leaders and developers line up tens of thousands of new units to meet growing needs – Oct. 22, 2021, Orlando Business Journal
The affordable housing problem: Lackluster wages, climbing prices create ‘staggering’ needs – Oct. 21, 2021, Orlando Business Journal
Solutionaries EP2: Finding hope in affordable housing – Sept. 20, 2021 (The roundtable with President & CEO Catherine Steck McManus starts at the 19-minute mark), WKMG Channel 6
Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis – Sept. 17, 2021 (Segment starts at 10:30-minute mark), WUCF
Habitat For Humanity Works To Help Solve Central Florida’s Affordable Housing Puzzle – Sept. 16, 2021, 90.7 WMFE
It’s time to shift how Central Florida tackles ‘wicked’ problems like affordable housing – Aug. 16, 2021, Orlando Business Journal
Everyday Hero: He helps others achieve their homeownership dream – July 26, 2021, Spectrum News 13
Woman, 70, faces homelessness after rent increased at Osceola County extended stay – July 22, 2021, WFTV Channel 9
National Fair Housing Month – April 23, 2021, Spectrum News 13
Homes, warehouses and more: These Orlando-area real estate and development firms spark demand despite Covid – March 3, 2021 (Park Square Homes CEO Suresh Gupta said building a Habitat home was the company’s #2 accomplishment in 2020), Orlando Business Journal
Habitat Orlando & Osceola: Home means serenity to this new homeowner – February 20, 2021, Florida Community Loan Fund
President & CEO Catherine Steck McManus & Future Homeowner Hannah Speak about Affordable Housing – February 12, 2021 (Segment starts at 10:40 mark), WUCF
Hannah And Jasper Are Getting The Keys To Their First Home Today At Habitat’s Affordable Housing Community In Pine Hills – February 5, 2021, 90.7 WMFE
2020
New Habitat Homeowners Receive Keys To Their “Home For The Holidays” – December 13, 2020
Habitat For Humanity Kicks Off “Home For The Holidays” Build – November 30, 2020
Guide to Giving: Central Florida nonprofits – November 30, 2020
G’s Power Hour LIVE – Choose A Cause 2020 – November 23, 2020
Habitat for Humanity taking applications for free roof repairs – September 25, 2020
MEASURABLE SUCCESS: Appraising Orlando’s affordable housing progress – September 17, 2020
Helping Build Affordable Housing in Orlando & Osceola County State Farm grant to Habitat for Humanity – September 15, 2020
Orange Co. offers roof repair assistance to Apopka area, installs US Census Kiosk in John Bridges Center – September 8, 2020
Vetoed SHIP Funding Could Destabilize Housing For Working Floridians – August 8, 2020
105.9 Sunny FM: Habitat For Humanity Builds Affordable Homes – June 8, 2020
Habitat for Humanity opening homeownership applications for Apopka, Orlando communities – May 23, 2020
Own an affordable home in the Greater Orlando or Osceola County area by applying for Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program – May 21, 2020
Florida Community Loan Fund’s Meet Our Borrowers: Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County – May 21, 2020
G’s Power Hour LIVE – Giving Tuesday – May 5, 2020
Orlando Family Magazine: Super Women – May 2020
WESH 2 News: 6 families receive new homes – February 8, 2020
Spectrum News 13: Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication Ceremony – February 8, 2020
WESH 2 News: Habitat for Humanity’s “Builders Blitz” begins construction of six new homes in Orange County – February 3, 2020
Correct Craft Employees Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity – January 27, 2020
People on the move – January 20, 2020
2019
Spectrum News 13: Habitat for Humanity volunteers help with Holiday Build – December 7, 2019
WFTV: Holiday Build 2019 recap – December 7, 2019
WFTV: Holiday Build event constructing affordable housing – December 6, 2019
WFTV: Holiday Build starts today – December 6, 2019
WFTV: Holiday Build starts today; Homeowner Kathy shares her story – December 6, 2019
Economic recovery? For nearly half of Central Florida households, it didn‘t happen – November 25, 2019
Thanksgiving: Opportunities in Orlando to give back – November 22, 2019
Project community: Hundreds of thousands caught in Central Florida housing crisis – October 31, 2019
WESH 2 News teams up with Habitat for Humanity to help build a home – October 13, 2019
Magic and Jewett Orthopaedic Team Up to Beautify Habitat for Humanity Home – September 19, 2019
People on the move – September 11, 2019
Thanks to Florida Grant, Kissimmee Woman’s Home is Rebuilt – August 7, 2019
A Provider of Employment Services in Orlando, FL Volunteered with Local Habitat for Humanity – August 2, 2019
No place like home: Partnership rebuilds house for 80-year-old resident – July 24, 2019
80-year-old Kissimmee woman gets brand new home thanks to grant money – July 20, 2019
Deal expected to speed up construction of Habitat homes in south Apopka – July 19, 2019
Homeowner hardships: Habitat for Humanity trying to improve home affordability – July 5, 2019
Project Community: The crushing reality of Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis – June 26, 2019
VIDEO: New Study Reveals Working Class Struggling to Afford Housing in Orlando – June 24, 2019
New Study Reveals Working Class Struggling to Afford Housing in Orlando – June 24, 2019
Power Talks: Central Florida Housing Possibilities – June 18, 2019
Cool office: How storytelling helps Habitat for Humanity inspire future homeowners – May 3, 2019
Correct Craft Receives Top Honor from Regional Habitat for Humanity – April 11, 2019
Project Community: Central Florida is worst in the nation for affordable housing – April 10, 2019
Kissimmee area now worst in America for affordable housing, report finds – March 21, 2019
Finding solutions for Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis – March 19, 2019
WFTV coverage of Lowe’s International Women Build Day at 7am – March 9, 2019
WESH coverage of Lowe’s International Women Build Day at 5pm – March 8, 2019
On International Women’s Day, these women are celebrating by building affordable homes – March 7, 2019
Habitat Builders Blitz highlights Central Florida’s rising demand for more affordable housing – February 20, 2019
Home Sweet Habitat: Builders Blitz Brings Four Families New Affordable Homes – February 11, 2019
Habitat for Humanity Builds four homes in five days – February 9, 2019
Habitat for Humanity dedicates four new homes to families – February 9, 2019
County Commission donates land to Habitat for Humanity – February 9, 2019
2018
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Central Florida Chapter Gives Back – November 9, 2018
Orlando Habitat for Humanity takes on Osceola affordable housing issue – June 23, 2018
Orange County Building Division Fast Tracks Habitat Homes with Speedy Permitting – March 14, 2018
Habitat for Humanity Builds Five Homes in Five Days – February 5, 2018
A Hand Up: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando – February 1, 2018
2017
Grand Giving Guide – Habitat for Humanity – December 2017
Orlando Magic Dedicates 9th Habitat for Humanity Home – December 5, 2017
UCF Knights Pride: Knights Without Borders – July 10, 2017
Orlando Magic, Jewett Orthopaedic Assist in Habitat for Humanity Home Build – June 1, 2017
Orange County Fire Rescue Partners with Habitat for Humanity to Install Fire Protection Systems in Local Habitat Homes – April 18, 2017
State of Orange County address touches on jobs, tourism, new projects – April 7, 2017
Orange County Government Celebrates New Affordable Housing Community Groundbreaking in Apopka – March 28, 2017
Pine Hills community gets facelift from Orange County’s Fixing Up the Neighborhood Program – March 26, 2017
Four Organizations – Including Orange County Government – Come Together to Bring 58 Affordable Homes to South Apopka – March 13, 2017
Empowering Women with Power Tools at Women Build 2017 – March 13, 2017
Normandy Shores Community Gets Fresh Facelift from Orange County’s Fixing Up the Neighborhood Program – March 13, 2017
Orlando’s lack of affordable rentals near top in U.S. – March 12, 2017
Fire Marshal encourages use of home fire sprinklers with education, charity – March 11, 2017
Orange County Neighborhood Preservation & Revitalization Hosts Normandy Shores Fixing Up the Neighborhood (F.U.N) Program – February 27, 2017
New South Apopka affordable housing will have groundbreaking – February 27, 2017
Project aims to build homes, hope in South Apopka – February 26, 2017
Habitat bringing 58 new homes to South Apopka – February 25, 2017
Karl Hodges Appointed as 2017-2018 Habitat Greater Orlando Board Chairman – January 23, 2017
2016
Mary Alice Fish Joins Habitat Greater Orlando – December 1, 2016
A Helping Hand for Orlando – November 4, 2016
QuickenLoans Lends a Hand with NAR and Habitat for Humanity – November 4, 2016
REALTORS® Gather in Orlando Focused on Real Estate Opportunities Ahead – November 3, 2016
Aspiring Homeowners Learn About Buying Affordable Housing – August 24, 2016
56 Affordable Housing Coming to South Apopka – August 24, 2016
Orlando Habitat for Humanity expects long list of applicants – July 28, 2016
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando to Open Homeownership Program Aug. 1 – July 13, 2016
David Does It: Home Builders Blitz 2016 – June 6, 2016
Whole Foods helps Habitat for Humanity – March 10, 2016
A Valentine’s date to help others – February 11, 2016
2015
Open House at Habitat for Humanity’s Newest Orlando Development – December 17, 2015
Habitat, Orange County improving foreclosed homes, neighborhoods – December 15, 2015
Habitat for Humanity moves deeper into suburbs – November 29, 2015
Correct Craft Workers Help Habitat for Humanity – October 9, 2015
Voluntarios de Wells Fargo sirven a la comunidad – September 22, 2015
Getting Results Award winner: Habitat for Humanity volunteer – September 9, 2015
Habitat for Humanity helps disabled man – August 18, 2015
Habitat home offers new start to reserve officer after paralyzing crash – August 14, 2015
Habitat Celebrates Home Dedication in Orlando – July 6, 2015
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area and Lowe’s team up for National Women Build Week
Habitat for Humanity Restore Houses Great Deals and Those in Need – Orlando DIY Home – April 30, 2015
Everyday Hero: Helping others in need – April 29, 2015
Habitat for Humanity builds home for family – April 29, 2015
Habitat for Humanity launches annual ‘Women’s Build in Orlando – April 28, 2015
Habitat for Humanity to expand services – April 20, 2015
DIY Floor Lamp – April 15, 2015
Spring Jello Mold Wreath & Habitat for Humanity ReStore Blog Hop! – April 15, 2015
Eight homes to conclude “Home Builders Blitz” – February 12-18, 2015
Home Builders Blitz – Feb 5-11, 2015
Habitat for Humanity Announces New President and CEO – February 2015
Build 8 homes in 5 days: Habitat for Humanity project kicks off in Orlando – January 26, 2015
Habitat for Humanity to build 8 homes in 5 days – January 26, 2015
Habitat Blitz: 8 homes in 5 days – January 26, 2015
Local Builders Build 8 homes in 5 days – January 26, 2015
2014
OBJ Book of Lists – December 2014
Magic of Giving: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Seg 1 – History
Magic of Giving: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Seg 2 – Programs
Magic of Giving: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Seg 3 – Needs
Habitat for Humanity begins first of 59 homes to replace dumping ground – December 12, 2014
Orlando Magic participate in two community service projects – November 11, 2014
Scott Kimpel Board Member at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area – October 24, 2014
Local citizens worked together and volunteered in the “Fixing Up the Neighborhood” program – October-November 2014
10/29 People on the Move – October 28, 2014
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area receives $40,000 grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation – October 9-15, 2014
Habitat for Humanity Wraps up F.U.N Project Corporate giving – September 29, 2014
Butler’s Preserve – September 5, 2014
Habitat concluded month long FUN project – September 4-10, 2014
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area paints 27 homes in Greater Washington Shores – September 2, 2014
Wheelchair-accessible home from Habitat for Humanity – July 28, 2014
Habitat for Humanity begins “F.U.N.” project to fix up Orlando community – July 23, 2014
Builders launch Habitat Subdivision – July 20, 2014
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area Breaks Ground on Butler’s Preserve – July 3-9, 2014
Spruce Up! Pine Hills Habitat for Humanity helps women – May 19, 2014
Everyday Hero building dreams one nail at time – March 10, 2014
Women Build 2014 Kick Off – February 27, 2014
Habitat for Humanity: more than just building homes – February 19, 2014