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Who We Are

Through Shelter, We Empower.

By partnering with donors and volunteers, Habitat builds new or rehabilitates existing homes and sells them to qualified, low-income families using an affordable mortgage.

Monthly mortgage payments are set at 30% or less of the homeowner’s income making homeownership an affordable reality.

Habitat for Humanity is a private nonprofit organization that is funded through the generosity of local individuals, businesses and faith organizations.

Awarded the 4-star rating by Charity Navigator

The highest award possible from America’s largest, independent charity evaluator.

Our Mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Our History

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties was granted a charter in October, 1982, one of the first affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International.

Our Vision

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

1,700
FAMILIES SERVED THROUGH HOUSING SINCE 1982
218
HOMES REPAIRED SINCE 1982
265
FAMILIES COUNSELED ON HOMEOWNERSHIP IN FY 20-21
68
INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES SERVED IN FY 20-21

Why Affordable Housing?

The Need for Habitat

The local housing statistics speak for themselves:

In Lee County, 79,309 households spend more than 30% of their income on housing.  (UF Shimberg Center, 2019)

Florida has only 25 affordable and available rental units for every 100 low-income renters (those with incomes at or below 30% of the area median). (Florida Housing Coalition, Home Matters, 2021)

The Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area is more expensive than 79% of the state of Florida. Since 2019, rent in Lee County has increased 45%. (Rent Data, 2021)

In Lee County, a worker has to make $47,880 to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom rental, though the estimated median renter wage is $43,389. (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2021)

Government Funding

In addition to private contributions, mortgage payments and ReStore proceeds, Habitat utilizes some government funded programs to make homeownership more affordable for our homeowners.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP) provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families.

Community Development Block Grant Program
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1209 general units of local government and States.

City of Cape Coral
The City of Cape Coral supports Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties through several sources: the Community Development Block Grant program, the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Lee County
Lee County supports Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.

Habitat Leadership Team

Becky Lucas

CEO

Tanya Soholt

Chief Operating Officer

John O’Donnell

VP Of Finance,

Elisha Baird

VP of Strategic Partnerships

Jennifer Lacey

VP of Finance

Tammy Moran

VP of ReStore

Karen Rodriguez

VP of Family Services

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES

We are always looking for passionate and driven individuals to join our team to help build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Together, we empower.

SEE OPPORTUNITIES