HabiChat October 2025 by Pensacola Habitat for Humanity

HabiChat

July-September 2025

PENSACOLAHABITAT

Aglimpseintothemomentsthatbuildhomes,strenghthencommunities,andchangelives.

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Takeover Night Pathway

Board of Directors

DawnLealynBrazwell

Chair

A few words from our CEO

As we close another remarkable year, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for all we’ve accomplished together.

ChairElect

MattNewcomer

MikeKing Treasurer

D.BrentHargett

Secretary

DickBaker

ConnieBookman

AlvisCollins

LakeshaS.Davis

RabbiJoelFleekop

EugeneFranklin

SiobhanGallagher

DarnellSims

FrankJ.Smith

MikeStahl

PastorLarryWatson,Jr.

BobYoung

J.T.Young

BettySalter

EmeritusDirector

SamYoung

President/CEO

Despite challenges rising interest rates, higher construction costs, and widening wage gaps Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has remained true to its mission: building and selling

safe, affordable homes for families wholive and work right here in our community These are the people who make Pensacola strong and keep it a wonderful place to call home

This year, we celebrated the first home sales in our new Community Land Trust, helping families achieve homeownership who otherwise could not We also launched a Rental Home Program, creating additional pathways to stability Meanwhile, our Community Development team completed critical home repairs that help existing homeowners stay safe and prevent unnecessary displacement preserving affordable housing across our region

None of this happens without the generosity of our corporate sponsors, community partners, and individual supporters You are the reason hammers swing, foundations are poured, and families turn the keys to homes they can finally call their own

Pensacola Habitat continues to grow, adapt, and innovate to meet changing community needs and we’re just getting started The work isn’t easy, but it’s meaningful, and it’s made possible because of supporters like you who believe in the power of home

Together, we’ll keep building a stronger, more resilient Greater Pensacola for all who call this community home

Sam Young, President & CEO

howwe makinga

491

4487 volunteers

volunteerhours from newbuildsstarted newhomeowners

clientsservedthroughthe HUDHousingCounseling program completedprojects throughtheCommunity DevelopmentProgram that’s over 187 days of hard work paying off!

20 6 itemsdonated freepickupscompleted lbs.ofdonatedgoods divertedfromlandfills

8,701 379 359,660

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is honored to invite you to our Annual Gala, a special evening dedicated to celebrating our mission and the power of affordable homeownership in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

This year, we gather at a new and beautiful venue, Supposey, to honor the theme "The House that Built Me," a tribute to the powerful impact of safe and stable housing on individuals, families and our communities Join us on Thursday, November 6th from 5 to 8 PM, where we will come together to hear inspiring stories, enjoy an evening of connection, and support the work of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity

Guests will enjoy an elegant evening filled with incredible food and an open bar, live entertainment, one-of-a-kind auction items, and a warm, vibrant atmosphere focused on connection and purpose. Tickets are $150, and all proceeds help build homes, communities, and hope for local families. We look forward to celebrating with you and making a difference together. Secure your spot today and be part of this memorable event!

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to celebrate a major milestone our very first home closing in the Community Land Trust (CLT)! While several CLT homes are under construction and being purchased, this marks the first official closing Anthony, a first-time homebuyer who has worked hard to achieve this dream, is now a proud homeowner Supporters, volunteers, county representatives, and community partners joined together to witness this exciting moment This milestone is not only a victory for Anthony but also a proud step forward for Pensacola Habitat and our community

At Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, we believe everyone deserves a safe, affordable, quality place to call home In our continued effort to provide affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of our community, we are proud to now offer three- to four-bedroom, two-bath newly renovated homes at affordable rental rates

These homes have been thoughtfully and newly updated to provide comfort, quality, and long-term stability for qualified individuals and families across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Our rental program offers a practical option for those seeking affordable housing while preparing for future homeownership.

We currently have a few available rental homes with open applications and will continue adding more homes to our rental inventory! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up to date when new homes become available.

We’re growing to meet the needs of more families and are adding additional homes in the near future Stay tuned for updates and visit pensacolahabitat org/rentals to apply, learn more and view currently available homes

executive build 2025 is around the corner!

November 20th + 21st

Our Executive Build is an exciting, two-day build that will unite executives and leaders from across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties as they come together to make a lasting impact! Each participant not only lends a hand on the build site but also makes a meaningful financial contribution to support affordable workforce housing.

Executive Build is more than just construction—it’s an opportunity to champion and invest in stronger communities.

Join companies like Navy Federal and South State Bank for this year’s Executive Build - Sign up today!

pensacolahabitat.org/execbuild

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is proud to partner with AMI Kids Pensacola, giving students hands-on training while supporting affordable housing. Through a grant from the Department of Labor, AMI Kids students earn learning credits by working on homes, gaining real-world construction skills they can carry into future careers

“The kids like getting out of the classroom and actually putting their hands on the tools they’re learning about,” shared Mr Charles Wallace, Vocational Instructor at AMI Kids

Student Jeremiah added, “This experience helps me develop skills for different job fields and as a future homeowner. What I love most is learning more skills ”

Together, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and AMI Kids are building more than homes; they are building confidence, opportunity, and brighter futures And the opportunities don’t stop there, youth volunteers can earn service hours that count toward scholarships, and employers can give their teams the chance to make an impact by offering company service days

We invite other schools, businesses and organizations to volunteer with us and experience the same impact. Volunteering with Pensacola Habitat for Humanity not only changes lives for future homeowners but also empowers participants to grow, connect, and leave a lasting mark on our community

womenbuild2025recap

Before build week began, our community came together in powerful ways to support Women Build.Thanks to the incredible dedication of our Women Builders and sponsors, we set a new all-time record, raising over $155,500, the highest total in the 12-year history of Women Build! From pasta dinners, bake sales and neighborhood yard sales to working concessions and selling 50/50 raffle tickets at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos home games, our Women Builders brought incredible energy to fundraising Highlights also included our annual Women Build Yard Sale, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Takeover Night at the Blue Wahoos Stadium, and the always fun Shuck-a-Puck with the Pensacola Ice Flyers These efforts raised more than funds They built awareness, spread joy, and showed the strength of a community united for affordable housing Together, we entered Women Build week stronger than ever, ready to raise walls and raise hope for local families

Over two inspiring weeks, 140 phenomenal “Hard-Hatted” Women Builders came together with tools in hand and purpose in their hearts, transforming homes and hope into something real and lasting Thanks to the generosity and grit of our incredible sponsors like Dream Builder Gulf Winds Credit Union, RS3 Strategic Hospitality, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Women Build 2025 became more than just a project. It became a powerful community movement. To all our Women Builders, we see you. Whether you joined us for the first time or have been part of this journey for years, your hard work, heart, and hard hats made this our most impactful build yet. The presence of future homeowners on site brought meaningful connection and reminded us all why this mission matters. And even as the tools are put away, the momentum carries on. Every wall raised and every hand extended speaks to the power of women uniting to lead lasting change Here is to the legacy of Women Build 2025 and to dreaming even bigger for 2026 because together we build more than homes - we build futures

hard-hattedwomen

Repair Corps: Community Impact Projects

Conelious is an Army veteran and a Pensacola Habitat for Humanity homeowner of 13 years who was medically retired while working on the railroad after he saved the lives of his coworkers during an accident.

His home was impacted by Hurricane Sally, dropping a tree on his home and leaving him with a leaky and damaged roof, a faulty A/C unit and a power box that had to be covered by a trash bag to have any semblance of function. These damages had him out of compliance with local ordinances and facing severe fines.

Thanks to our Community Development Program and funding from Habitat for Humanity's Repair Corps program, which is funded by The Home Depot Foundation, he now has a brandnew A/C unit and power box and his roof is completely repaired !

“This means everything to me because my mother was able to see me move into my home, and it made me so proud to know that I got to do something that my mother was proud of,” Conelious said. “Now everything is back the way it’s supposed to be, and I’m a happy man!”

Our Community Development works to help existing homeowners preserve their homeownership, strengthen our community and empower residents to be a force for change. Learn more about our ongoing efforts at pensacolahabitat.org/communitydevelopment.

Maddie’s CLT Journey to a Fresh Start

At 24, Maddie has already shown incredible determination She’s worked at Walmart for six years while pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and completing several management training programs. Despite her hard work, rising rent costs forced her to live in a camper for the past two years

“Habitat gave me the hope of finally having a permanent, affordable place to live after sheshares.ForMaddie, participatingintheCommunityLandTrust(CLT) Programisaboutmorethanjustahouse,it’saboutfindingcommunityandbuildingastablefuture yearsofrejection,”

“Community isawordthatPensacolaHabitatforHumanity isverypassionateabout,and asapersonwhohasnevertrulyexperiencedcommunity,IknewIwasintherightplace,” Maddiereflects Knowingthattheprogramprovidessupportevenafterclosingwasthereassurance sheneededtomoveforwardwithconfidence Lookingahead,Maddiedreamsofthesimplejoysthathomeownershipwillbring,arealkitchen tocookin,safespaceforhercats,privacy,andthechancetodecorateagain.Mostimportantly, itmeanspeaceofmind.

“HabitatforHumanityPensacolahasgivenmethechancetoturnwhatfeltimpossible intoreality.It’snotjustahome,it’samuch-neededfreshstartandafoundationfora betterlife.”

Astheyearcomestoaclose,wereflectontheincredibleimpactmadepossiblebypeoplelikeyou.Everydonation, everyhourvolunteered,andeverywallraisedhelpsfamiliesbuildstrength,stability,andhope.

ThisGivingTuesday,yourgiftgoesfurtherthanyoumightimagine.Afinancialcontributiondoesn’tjusthelpbuild homes,ithelpsbuildbrighterfutures.Yoursupportprovidesthematerialstoraisewalls,thetoolsforconstruction, andtheresourcesforfamiliestomovefromuncertaintytostability.Everydollarhelpscreatethefoundationfora safe,affordablehomeandastrongercommunity.

Ifamonetarygiftisn’tpossiblethisseason,youcanalsogivein otherwaysbydonatingvehicles,land,orgentlyusedandnew goodstoourReStore—orbyvolunteeringyourtimeonabuild site,attheReStore,orduringspecialevents.

Together,webuildhomes.Together,webuildhope.