Habitat neighborhood Journey Together.
Habitat for Humanity recently closed out its 29-home Journey Together neighborhood with Habitat homeowner Alexandra and Habitat homeowner Felipe.
“These homes are all three- and four-bedroom homes being purchased by families who make 80% or less of the area median income,” Habitat of Lee and Hendry CEO Becky Lucas said. “Every one of these families went through our Habitat affordable homeownership program, and they all helped to build their home or the homes of their neighbors.”
Habitat celebrated Journey Together’s land dedication two and a half years ago, where staff, volunteers, sponsors, and city leaders gathered to dedicate and bless the six-acre HOA neighborhood in Fort Myers.
“We wanted to start our Journey Together neighborhood on the right foot by blessing it together,” Becky said. “We had a local official speak to really what this neighborhood means to the city of Fort Myers.”
Among the local officials present was Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown, who joined Habitat again, but this time to see us wrap up the neighborhood and present keys to one of the homeowners.
The two homeowners were surrounded by family, friends, Habitat staff, and supporters to celebrate their Feb. 5 home dedication. With the sun shining brightly, birds singing and ear-to-ear smiles, we welcomed Alexandra and Felipe home.
As a single mother of two boys, Alexandra first learned of the affordable housing program from a friend at work. “I was telling him my goal for this year is to have a room,” Alexandra said. “He said, ‘We got a program [at] Lee [Health] from Habitat for Humanity. You can participate.’”
Habitat CEO Becky Lucas, Habitat homeowner Alexandra, and Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown at Journey Together’s final home dedication.
Alexandra did just that.
“It’s very exciting,” she said at her home dedication. “Since I’m here in America, I never have a room by myself.”
The partnership between Lee Health and Habitat began in 2022.Lee Health assists employees with steps toward homeownership by reimbursing the $35 Habitat credit report fee to begin housing counseling. The partnership began to serve as an added benefit to employees like Alexandra to encourage them to stay in the area and at their jobs long-term.
Alexandra worked alongside Felipe while doing their 300 sweat equity partnership requirements, forming yet another strong connection in the neighborhood.
Felipe is a single father of two, who lived in a single bedroom with both of his kids due to unaffordable rent and housing costs. His main goal was to have a home big enough for their own space to grow happy and healthy.
Habitat homeowner Felipe and his two sons at their home dedication.
“Accept my sincere thanks for your efforts and I say goodbye with a heart full of hope,” Felipe said when he first came to Habitat.
Now he left us with a sincere “Thank you for everything” at his home dedication, with Alexandra expressing her deepest gratitude shortly after.
“I’m thankful for each of you and God’s going to continue to bless everybody in Habitat,” Alexandra said. “You made me reach my goal.”
While Alexandra and Felipe are at the end of our Journey Together neighborhood, there’s much more ahead for our affiliate in Fort Myers.
“Next on the horizon in the city of Fort Myers, we’ll be getting a 26-home neighborhood in the heart of the city,” Becky said. “[This neighborhood] will be within walking distance of Dunbar High School, and we’ll be beginning that project later this year.”
