Habitat for Humanity has record-breaking week of home dedications

FORT MYERS, Fla.- In a matter of days, 10 families are moving into brand new homes built by Habitat for Humanity.

“We’ve never dedicated 10 homes in a week before,” said Kitty Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties.

The homes are all scattered across Southwest Florida but they share a common story of hard-working families struggling to get ahead.

Adrieanna Harvey and her four children moved into their new home on Tuesday.

“This to me feels like a miracle because I didn’t feel like I had any luck,” said Harvey.

Nadiezhda Fernandez and her daughter Nathalie also have a place to call home thanks to the organization.

“I feel so happy! I’m so excited that I finally get my home with my mom,” said 10-year-old  Nathalie.

Families have to go through an application process, take classes to help them plan their own finances, and put 300 hours of work into their new homes. The houses are then paid off at an affordable price with no interest.

Green says Southwest Florida is facing a housing crisis, making it the second most expensive place in the country to rent a home.

“A two bedroom apartment in an apartment complex cost an excess of a $1,000 a month,” said Green.

More than 1,300 families reached out to Habitat for Humanity this year, an increase in 20 percent compared to the previous year. With resources spread as thin as they are, the agency says it was only able to help 55 families build a place to call their own.