Andre Crump, Kiana Walden and their two children Savanah, 2, far left, and Madison, 3 are thankful to Habitat Broward for their new home in Dania Beach.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HABITAT BROWARD STAFF

Staff Report

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Habitat for Humanity of Broward dedicated nine properties this summer, providing deserving families new and affordable homes in South Florida.

The homes, located in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach and Oakland Park were presented to nine families over four dedication ceremonies from June 10 through August 5.

Each home took about nine months to complete, which includes thousands of volunteer hours and the generous support of home sponsors.

“Our volunteers and construction workers understood how important it was for the for families children of our new homeowners to start the school year in their new homes,” said Nancy Robin, Habitat Broward’s CEO & Executive Director. “It was a busy summer, but what a payoff!”

Through Habitat Broward, hardworking families obtain affordable homes with zerointerest mortgages through a combination of sweat equity hours and homeownership coursework.

Each family is required to fill out an application, undergo a credit and background check, and take a year’s worth of financial and money management courses.

“My family’s lives changed with the opening of one envelope,” said Cortina Simpkins, a local pharmacy technician and one of nine new homeowners. “We received the letter stating that my family was accepted into the Habitat for Humanity program. All I can say is that deep feelings of gratitude and thankfulness fill my heart.”

“This journey has been priceless,” said Diana Williams, a mother of three children. “I will be the first of my siblings to own a house.

Thanks to Florida Girls Giving Back (FGGB), my children have a place to come home to.” The home built for Williams was unique in that it was sponsored and built by the members of FGGB. This group of teens donated more than 300 hours of time and energy during the construction.

To date, Habitat Broward has placed 417 families in new homes throughout Broward County. Homes dedicated this summer bring the total number of homes in Fort Lauderdale to 89, 103 in Pompano Beach, 49 in Oakland Park, 27 in Dania Beach and 149 in Broward’s other municipalities.

Homes completed this summer were made possible by sponsors Bank of America, Burdette Beckman, Inc., Christ Church United Methodist, Florida Girls Give Back, Gore Family Memorial Foundation, HG Charitable Foundation, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stonegate Bank, Sunbeam Television/WSVN Channel 7 and many other generous donors and volunteers.