Rendering provided by Habitat for Humanity Sarasota

Habitat for Humanity Sarasota excitedly kicked off its capital initiative, Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place, by announcing a $3 million commitment through a partnership with The Kolter Group and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County—hurtling Habitat Sarasota that much closer to its $7 million goal. The profoundly impactful campaign is the first of its kind in this area, aiming to fund construction of 40 new affordable homes in a safe, secured neighborhood.

The Hammock Place has been designed to look like a market-rate community—each house featuring three or four bedrooms, and including two-car garages. It will be deed-restricted, include lawn maintenance and have a gated entry. And Habitat Sarasota is continuously improving its sustainable construction methods with the incorporation of an insulated concrete form (ICF) system. This innovative interlocking system for reinforced concrete is made with a rigid thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent substrate for walls, floors and roofs. Because of this, ICF homes have a significantly higher fire-resistance rating, are more energy efficient and have a hurricane safety rating that exceeds 150 miles per hour. “This cutting-edge construction method is also extremely volunteer-friendly, which allows us to reduce building costs while exceeding green building standards,” says Renee Snyder, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Sarasota.

Through Habitat Sarasota’s fundraising efforts, and the support of community partners and volunteers, the organization will be able to provide housing with a zero percent interest rate mortgage to qualified candidates. Hammock Place’s stable neighborhood will soon transform the lives of 40 families and more than 100 children—alleviating financial hardship and providing a sense of community pride.

“A Habitat Sarasota home relieves two main stresses for families: time and money. Parents with an affordable mortgage have more quality time to spend with their children, by often eliminating the financial need to work multiple jobs. Parents are available to help with homework, cook healthy meals and provide better healthcare for their children.” says Habitat Program Director Rhonda Leiberick. “Children that grow up in a Habitat home even see improved grades in school and have a better opportunity to go to college than those that live in substandard/overcrowded living conditions.”

Site development recently launched, including building infrastructure such as roads, and with the first three to four homes undergoing construction August 2018. Within the next two and a half years, the remaining of the 40 homes will become ready for families to move in and start their new life.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org 

Rendering provided by Habitat for Humanity Sarasota

Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, 1757 North East Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-0700.