Business Partnerships are Key to Habitat Workforce Housing Solutions
Attainable workforce housing has hit the radar of our local employers, who have been struggling to keep full-staff teams in recent years. These challenges can disrupt service to customers, whether those customers are restaurant goers, grocery store shoppers or hospital patients. Everyone in our community utilizes these and other services regularly, so the concerns of our employers become concerns for us all. At Habitat, we have enjoyed partnerships with many local businesses who have valued our mission and enjoyed building with us to develop camaraderie within their teams. However, our local businesses' interest has become personal, and we are here for it!
Always on our radar since our start in 1988 , Habitat has identified the need for homeownership opportunities for some families in the Sandhills unable to secure a traditional mortgage. We provide a specific solution for a specific group of local individuals – those who are willing to invest their own sweat for the chance to purchase a home with a mortgage that is "right-sized" for their income level. Once looked upon by some as a handout, the true mission of Habitat is now being recognized as a sustainable solution to create a more affordable way for hardworking employees to live and work in the same community.
As we head into the next few decades of building at Habitat, we are excited to expand our original services to help meet the needs of our workforce. We expanded our upper-income limit to 80% of the county median income three years ago. The expansion has allowed us to capture additional previously too-expensive professions to partner with us, but we need help finding affordable housing in our community. As a response, we are seeing increased investment from our local employers. From our gift of tee times (with a financial match) from Pinehurst to a recent sold-out event at St. Joseph of the Pines, each of our employer partners is finding a creative way to partner with Habitat to increase the work we can provide. At the beautiful event with St. Joseph's at Belle Meade, our supporters enjoyed a delicious meal from Chef Lee and their tremendous leadership team. We heard directly from our future homebuyer, Shante, who will purchase the home, which was made possible by this and other events and churches as part of our annual Apostles Build.
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We will kick off a home build this fall with our Annual CEO Day – a specific Friday each fall when we invite local leaders to build with us and spend a few hours away from the desk. This year, we are excited to have the CEO from Monarch, Peggy Terhune and other employers of our future homebuyers including Zane Vogel of Spiritus Systems and other veteran-affiliated businesses as we will break ground on our next Veterans Build this fall, as well. It's an exciting time to be on board with Habitat, and we look forward to many more business partnerships in addition to our network of individuals who have invested in our mission. | |
With gratitude,
Amie Fraley
Executive Director | |
Aging in Place Repair Program
Application Deadline September 30th | |
Sandhills Habitat is making a profound difference in our community by empowering elderly homeowners and individuals with disabilities to maintain their homes with dignity through the Aging in Place Program. This initiative not only helps those aged 55 and older or with documented physical disabilities reclaim their living spaces, but it also fosters a sense of pride and belonging. By addressing essential repairs and modifications, the program ensures that these valued members of our community can age in place safely and comfortably, surrounded by the support and respect they deserve.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with essential exterior repairs such as building ramps, repairing roofs, fixing porches or steps, or replacing windows we urge you to reach out to our office before the September 30th deadline.
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Heart Warming Testimonial
Recipient: Mrs. Carolyn Buchan
Location: Southern Pine, North Carolina
Work Completed: Ramp | Following a fall, Mrs. Buchan broke her pelvis and was faced with months of hospitalization and rehabilitation before she could return to her home in Southern Pines. | |
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Carolyn's daughter, Donna learned through her church about Habitat's urgent repair program. She promptly filled out the application for a ramp to ease mobility challenges getting her mother to and from doctors appointments. Once approved a site visit was conducted, permits pulled, and before long a ramp was built allowing Mrs. Buchan to navigate from her porch to her car. | |
The gratitude expressed by Mrs. Buchan and her family has been heartfelt and profound and would like to extend their appreciation to the volunteers who helped build the ramp and everyone involved in this project. In addition, members of their church have partnered with Habitat to build ramps for other applicants in need.
In celebrating this success story, we are reminded of the profound impact that kindness and proactive support can have on individuals and families. Mrs. Buchan's recovery, coupled with the generous assistance of Habitat supporters, serves as a testament to the difference that a caring community can make.
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Women Build Launches 10th Sponsored Home
September 26th in Addor
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With enthusiasm and dedication, our Women Build Committee is set to roll up their sleeves and pick up hammers as they raise the walls for a new home for the Hoffman family on Nancy Court in Addor. This collaborative effort showcases the strength and commitment of women coming together to make a difference. By actively participating in this build, the committee not only provides safe housing opportunities for the Hoffman family but also fosters a sense of belonging that resonates throughout our local community. We invite you to join us in this heartwarming mission—whether through volunteering your time, lending your skills, or supporting our initiative in any way you can.
We invite you to come together with your friends, colleagues, and community groups to make a meaningful impact by reserving a build day. Volunteerism is not just about the physical labor; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and community. Each nail driven, each wall raised, and each moment shared contributes to our mission of providing safe, decent, and affordable housing. Your hands can help transform lives and empower families to thrive.
We build every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning starting at 8:00 am and we wrap up around 1:00 pm. Click on the button below to register, view the calendar and book your team!
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September Faith Relations Meeting
Save the Date
Wednesday, September 18th at 12:00 noon Community Presbyterian Church
125 Everette Rd, Pinehurst
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We have a very busy and exciting eight-day span coming up. On September 12th we kick off our United Way/Habitat build in Rockingham. Twelve pastors have pledged to help build that morning. If you are among that group, please register. You already have all the necessary information. On September 18th, we will have our Faith Relations Meeting at noon at Community Presbyterian Church located at 125 Everette Rd, Pinehurst. This meeting is open to all, but we need your RSVP. We will cover Habitat happenings over the summer and as usual look ahead to upcoming projects. Again, it is not too soon to RSVP. Lastly, on September 19th at 5 pm we will dedicate the Apostles Build home, which so many of you helped with. The address is 234 Page-Cunningham Rd., Aberdeen. We will dedicate two homes and hope to have a good turnout so you may want to arrive early.
Many thanks for supporting our Habitat mission!
Blessings, Dan
Dan Joslin, Habitat Faith Relations Coordinator
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ReStore Needs Volunteers
It's a fun opportunity to meet like-minded friends who support affordable housing. Great staff, flexible hours! Join us for our monthly Volunteer Session on Saturday, September 21st, to learn about Habitat's volunteer opportunities. Whether you enjoy the outdoors and hands-on construction or working in the ReStore, we can custom-fit an experience that you will find rewarding and fun! We know there is an abundance of volunteer opportunities in Moore County. We strive to make your time a rewarding and beneficial experience at Sandhills Habitat. We value, respect, support, encourage, and enjoy exemplary relationships with volunteers.
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OFFICERS
Dr. Fallon Brewington, Chair
Tim Dwyer, Vice Chair
Lisa Fagan, Secretary
Larry Smith, Treasurer
Amie Fraley, Executive Director
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DIRECTORS
Tavares Bostic
Sally Brown
Daphne Dudley
Karen Dulmage
Ted Esparza
Fran Grandinetti
Jim Hart
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Robert Jackson
Karen Reese May
Helen Probst Mills
Kayla Prestwood
Sue Ralston
Mary Rocca
Jill Saunders
Tracy Thomas
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Be sure to follow the new ReStore Facebook page
to learn about the latest inventory and sales
@sandhillsrestore
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