On Thursday, February 23rd, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community leaders gathered on a ten-acre plot in North Fort Myers to dedicate our newest HOA neighborhood, McNeill Village. This site, located off Pondella Road, will soon be transformed into 36 affordable homes for local families
In June 2022, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners allocated $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Habitat. Because of these funds, we could begin developing the neighborhood one year ahead of schedule.
“Our longest partner, who’s walked beside us for 42 years, is our County,” explained Habitat CEO Becky Lucas. “They donated the land for Habitat to build its first homes in Harlem Heights in 1980 before we were even an official Habitat office. Today, our County has made it possible for Habitat to build McNeill Village by providing a grant which invests in the infrastructure of this property.”
District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman attended the land dedication and spoke about the importance of decent and affordable housing for residents.
“It is a really proud day for me to be here,” said Commissioner Hamman. “I hope the everyday worker will see this [neighborhood] as a sign of hope that they will truly be able to achieve the American Dream here in Lee County.”
Following Commissioner Hamman’s remarks, Pastor Matt Swearingen from Crosspoint Church blessed the land and 36 Bibles representing the future homeowners who will one day call McNeill Village home. To add to the memorable experience, event attendees wrote blessings in the Bibles, which will be gifted to each of the 36 homeowners at their future home dedications.
To celebrate this neighborhood’s impact, we are honoring our longest-serving colleagues, who have each dedicated more than 20 years toward Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope. The 36 single-family homes will be built along Tanya Circle, named after Habitat’s Chief Operating Officer, Tanya Soholt. Duck’s pond is named after Habitat’s Construction District Supervisor, Donald (Duck) Holscher. Patino Park is named after Senior Construction District Supervisor Eduardo Patino.
With continued support from the community, we plan to raise the walls on the first homes in the Fall of 2023.
To learn more about Habitat’s affordable homeownership program, visit habitat4humanity.org/apply.
District 3 Commissioner Ray Sandelli, Habitat CEO Becky Lucas, and District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman with the “key to McNeill Village,” a token of gratitude to the Lee Board of County Commissioners for their support of the development of the neighborhood.
At the land dedication, District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman said, “the [Lee Board of County Commissioners] wanted to see how we can not only work on an affordable housing program, but how can we work with a partner who helps families build equity—and that’s what [Habitat’s] program does.”
Future McNeill Village Homeowners, Millie, Elsie and her son Michael, attended the land dedication and proudly stood on the property they will eventually call home. The two are sisters and will soon be neighbors. “It’s like I hit the lottery,” shared Elsie. “I’m just so happy. It’s a dream come true.”
McNeill Village will honor our longest-serving colleagues. The homes will be built along Tanya Circle, named after Habitat’s Chief Operating Officer, Tanya Soholt. Duck’s pond is named after Habitat’s Construction District Supervisor, Donald (Duck) Holscher. Patino Park is named after Senior Construction District Supervisor Eduardo Patino.
Pastor Matt Swearingen from Crosspoint Church blessed the land and 36 Bibles representing the future homeowners who will one day call McNeill Village home.
District 3 Commissioner Ray Sandelli and all event attendees wrote blessings in Bibles, which will be gifted to each of the 36 homeowners at their future home dedications.
