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.
2022
June
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