Habitat Press 2.0 | Vol. 62
March 15, 2023
1805 Cornell Lane, Denton, TX 76201 | (940) 484-5006 | habitatdentoncounty.org
Congratulations are in order!
Congratulations to two Habitat homeowners from 2004, Fredy Soto and Shirley Pitts, for paying off their Habitat homes in just 19 years!

Fredy Soto, our 55th homeowner, built his home alongside numerous volunteers at 305 S. Bradshaw in Denton. The home was built as part of Habitat's Homeownership program and was dedicated to him and his family in November of that year.

Shirley Pitts helped to rehab an existing home at 1016 Minor Circle in Denton. Having met all qualifications for Habitat homeownership, including putting in the required number of "sweat equity" hours, this rehabbed home was dedicated to her and her family in May of that year.

We are continually amazed by and honored to work with families like these, thanks to YOUR support!
Top: Fredy Soto
Bottom: Shirley Pitts
Advocating for Affordable Homeownership
This week, Habitat Denton Executive Director, Lora Blakeslee Atkinson, was invited to advocate and testify for better affordable housing laws at the Texas State Capitol, specifically regarding the Texas Bootstrap Loan Program.

The Texas Bootstrap Loan Program is a perfect fit for Habitat homeowners: it is a self-help housing construction program that assists households below 60% Area Median Income (AMI) to purchase real property on which to build housing by contributing the labor themselves (what we call "sweat equity"). Most of our Habitat homeowners apply for and receive a Bootstrap Loan - a loan of up to $45,000 with 0% interest for a term of up to 30 years - which is a huge help in defraying the rising costs of building a Habitat home.

However, with the rapid inflation increases in recent years, families within 60%-80% AMI are still struggling to meet their most basic needs. The 60% AMI maximum requirement has excluded many of our applicants from potentially receiving a Bootstrap Loan and thus from qualifying for a Habitat home. Lora advocated for a bill being voted on this week that would raise the maximum to 80% AMI. The importance of Lora's advocacy this week, and the consistent advocacy of all the Texas Habitat affiliates, cannot be overstated.

Thank you, Lora, for helping to make real change and spread awareness of the fact that too many families are paying too high a price to cover the cost of home.
On Tuesday, March 14, Habitat for Humanity of Denton County was presented a check by the Denton Lake-Cities Rotary Club. We are grateful for the support of this wonderful organization and honored to have been invited to present about how Habitat is impacting the future of affordable housing in our county. It is thanks to partnerships like these that we are able to continue building homes, communities, and hope in Denton County. THANK YOU, Denton-Lake Cities Rotary!
Above, L-R: Annie Folse, Habitat Development Manager; Pat Smith, Serve Denton CEO; Lora Blakeslee Atkinson, Habitat Executive Director
Over the last two years, the Greater Denton/Wise County Association of Realtors (GDWCAR) has hosted the 1st and 2nd annual "Party with a Purpose," raising $90,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the first home of the Habitat Village.

This year's event is just ONE MONTH AWAY on April 15 and will take place at Marty B's restaurant! Dust off your boots for a night of great food, fun, and a silent auction - all with the purpose of building a home for a local family.

We need your help again this year to ensure the success of this fun event - reserve your tickets today!
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Location: Marty B's | 2664 FM 407, Bartonville, TX 76226

Ticket Pricing: $75 per ticket - includes heavy appetizers
Special thank you to this year's Sponsors!
The Habitat Denton ReStore is thrilled to announce a new partnership with ReSupply, a veteran-based pickup service for charities nationwide. This service allows donors to schedule a speedy priority pickup online within 48 hours. ReSupply will pick up items of ANY condition and from anywhere within your home. By taking advantage of ReSupply's services, you can get items out of your home FASTER and with fewer restrictions.

Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Marty B's (2664 FM 407, Bartonville, TX 76226)
Ticket Pricing: $75 per ticket - includes heavy appetizers
Hosted by: Greater Denton/Wise County Association of Realtors

Join us for a Night Out at Marty B's! Dust off your boots and join us for a night of food, fun, and a silent auction all with the purpose of building a home for a deserving, local family. Tickets available now!
We are raising funds to develop 8 acres of vacant land in Southeast Denton and establish a new "Habitat Village" housing development on the property. As many as 35 new affordable homes will be built alongside local families in need via this development. This project involves developing the infrastructure of this neighborhood, including the streets, sidewalks, utilities, proper drainage requirements, and everything else needed to support a neighborhood of 35 homes.

The majority of our funds are raised by local individuals and local organizations, so we are relying on YOUR continued support to carry us forward. Would you consider making a gift to the Habitat Village today?
Partner with us to bring a brighter future to local families in your community. With the support of volunteers, they'll build their own homes and have the opportunity to pay an affordable mortgage. Your help will be met with grateful hearts.

One small but meaningful way to contribute is by donating your old car to support affordable housing in your community. Not only will you be making a difference in someone's life, you'll also get a tax deduction for your giving back!
In almost every grocery store in Denton County, shoppers can swipe a store card to save a little money. What most people don’t know is that you can add Habitat for Humanity of Denton County to your card and a percentage of your purchase goes directly to help build houses. It’s easy, it’s free, and it helps families in need live in decent homes.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to sign up for these programs. Together, our everyday purchases will add up to help us eliminate poverty housing.
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