J4 Sunday, November 10, <strong>2019</strong> JACKSONVILLE GIVES HABIJAX BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURE Mission: ‘Bringing people together to build homes, community and hope’ “A HabiJax home is much more than a comfortable, safe structure. It is hope. It is a future. The new homeowners have invested hours of labor and met eligibility requirements to be able to move in.’’ — Mary Kay O’Rourke President HabiJax Habitat for Humanity of <strong>Jacksonville</strong> (HabiJax) 2404 Hubbard St. <strong>Jacksonville</strong>, FL 32206 Toll Free: (877) 237-1295 (904) 798-4529 Website: habijax.org Volunteer information: habijax.org/volunteer Donor information: habijax. org/donate ReStore Locations 5800 Beach Blvd. <strong>Jacksonville</strong>, FL 32207 (904) 208-6648 6260 103rd St. <strong>Jacksonville</strong>, FL 32210 (904) 575-4348 Website habijax.org/restore HabiJax is the <strong>Jacksonville</strong> affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, and it is one of the largest non-profit affordable home builders in Duval County. It ranks as one of the most successful of the Habitat for Humanity affiliates, having provided homeownership opportunities and other housing services to more than 2,300 families. HabiJax is an advocate for affordable housing and fair housing policies and provides workshops and other training to help families improve their housing conditions. HabiJax is a multifaceted organization with many roles: builder, community developer, mortgage lender and affordable housing advocate. It all started Nearly 50 years ago, outside Americus, Gerogia, Miller and Linda Fuller and Koinonia Farm founder Clarence Jordan, developed the concept of “partnership housing,” wherein those in need of adequate shelter would work side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses at no profit. House payments were combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money was earned by fundraising to create a fund for building more homes. Habitat for Humanity International was created in 1976. In March 1988, in <strong>Jacksonville</strong>, nine affordable housing visionaries from various faith congregations came together seeking a way to provide safe affordable housing options here. As a result of their collaboration, they formed and incorporated HabiJax as an affiliate of the international organization, Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers from Mandarin Presbyterian learn new skills as they work on framing a new home in keeping with a faith tradition that reaches out to those in need. Along with the interfaith community, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund provided initial startup funding. Where we are today Last year, 2018, HabiJax reached a landmark — 30 years of providing homes to some of the area’s most vulnerable citizens and contributing to quality of life of the larger community. Rather than throw an anniversary party, HabiJax celebrated with an interfaith build where congregations joined together to build a new affordable home for the Floyd family. Mary Kay O’Rourke, who has headed HabiJax for 15 years, said that over its 30-year history, HabiJax has made it possible for 2,300 families to achieve the American dream of homeownership. “As remarkable and wonderful as that is, HabiJax has contributed significantly to the overall economy and quality of life in and around <strong>Jacksonville</strong>,” O’Rourke said. “Our homeowners have paid Duval County more than $21 million in property taxes, our construction activity has generated more than $10.6 million in taxes and fees and we’ve created more than 2,000 full-time local jobs in construction and related industries.” A HabiJax single-family home is designed in the traditional house styles of the neighborhood. The house itself is a one- or two-story dwelling between 1,000 to 1,350 square feet. Homes are equipped with central heating and air conditioning, energy-efficient appliances, a shed or garage, a driveway, vinyl siding and landscaping. Interior rooms are painted off-white and feature mini-blinds on all windows, ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms, wall-to-wall carpeting throughout except for the kitchen, bathrooms, entry way and laundry area where floors are vinyl. Several exterior styles are available, and designs are updated, new ones added as is the custom in new-home communities. “A HabiJax home is much more than a comfortable, safe structure,” O’Rourke said. “It is hope. It is a future. The new homeowners have invested hours of labor and met eligibility requirements to be able to move in. The benefits extend to the entire neighborhood, too. Pride in the neighborhood seems to increase as other residents respond to the changes and see the possibilities.” The Habitat for Humanity mission is “Seeking to put God’s love into action, bringing people together to build homes, community and hope.” The compassionate and generous response from individuals, businesses, community leaders and philanthropists has been essential to that mission. Business owner and developer Greg Matovina was appointed to the HabiJax Board of Directors in the late 1990s, and in 2005, he experienced a change in his life that deepened See HABIJAX, J15 Publix is one of the business partners that encourages its employees to participate in HabiJax home building projects as a team-building exercise and to help others. [PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HABIJAX] Soon-to-be homeowner, Raya, works on her 300 sweat equity hours by greeting visitors at the HabiJax main office on Hubbard Street. Moving in day is cause for celebration. After investing time and money into their new home and experiencing first-hand the support and encouragement of a larger community, HabiJax homeowners are instilled with gratitude, pride and hope.
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