Three families are getting brand new homes thanks to great partners in our community, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds. Macon Area Habitat for Humanity held a “ground blessing” for the new homeowners on Wednesday, October 5, to celebrate the start of construction.
“Habitat Week 2022 is a time for us to remember the vision of Habitat – that everyone deserves a decent place to call home. What better way to celebrate our local community’s support of this vision than with a ground blessing for three new homes,” said Habit Executive Director Ivey Hall.
Local pastors joined the families to bless their properties on Dannenburg Avenue. This is the first round of housing Habitat for Humanity is building using ARP funds from the County. The Macon-Bibb County Commission approved allocating $500,000 from federal funds towards the nonprofit, and the Peyton Anderson Foundation matched that, bringing the total available to $1 million.
“Macon-Bibb County is here for you,” Mayor Lester Miller told the new homeowners. “We’re going to lend out a helping hand wherever we can. We love you and want to see you and your families succeed.”
“In Macon, we all work together, and that’s how we lift our community up,” said Peyton Anderson Foundation President/CEO Karen Lambert. “It takes all of us. The trustees at the foundation are so proud to be part of that.”
Trina Mosley, Amanda Roberts, and Quantarius Walker are the recipients of these new homes, after an extensive application process.
“It has been a long journey for me. I used to be homeless, then I ended up what they call the projects, and I’m constantly moving forward and improving my life. So, I want to thank you all for making this dream come true for me,” said Trina Mosely.
The $1 million provided to Habitat is being used to first build eight homes, including these three, and six more later. The mortgage payments from those 14 homes will provide funding for construction projects for years to come.
“Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, we are able to take the Blight Fight beyond just removing old structures. With their leadership and work, we are replacing blight with new construction, providing families a stronger future as homeowners, and strengthening neighborhoods.” adds Mayor Miller.
About Macon Area Habitat for Humanity
Macon Area Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry devoted to ending substandard housing. Macon Area Habitat for Humanity was founded in Macon in 1986 to serve Bibb and Jones counties, partnering with families in need to build simple, decent houses with affordable, no-interest mortgages. Through collaboration with the Macon community, over 130 families have been served by the affiliate in the last 36 years.