Dear Habitat for Humanity,
I have exciting news to share! Osage Place is about to expand significantly. Last month, Habitat got the green light to begin Phase 2 infrastructure at Osage Place. This means that our Habitat neighborhood will more than double in size, adding 39 new home lots. Once completed, Osage Place will be home to 69 households. Phase 2 construction began in early August, with an expected completion date before the end of 2025.
Out of four companies that bid on the project, we’ve awarded the contract to Goodman Construction, the same company that worked on the first phase. Infrastructure costs have increased by over 25% since we bid on the initial phase three years ago. I am pleased to share with you that Phase 2 infrastructure is fully funded. This means that our fundraising efforts will be focused on covering material costs to build homes.
At Habitat, our mission is to build homes, hope, and community. The expansion of Osage Place will allow us to advance all three of these goals. We’ll be constructing 39 additional homes for partner families that are safe, energy-efficient, accessible, and affordable. Hope is created in the process, too; research shows that homeownership not only enhances quality of life but also leads to better health, educational outcomes, and generational wealth. Fittingly, the new street created in our neighborhood will be named Hope Drive.
The new phase will also strengthen the sense of community among existing and future residents. Families in Osage Place have already formed connections through our program—they went from helping each other build their homes to their children now walking to the school bus stop together and sharing popsicles on the front porch. With Phase 2, we’ll connect existing streets like Cherokee, Chambers, Duncan, and Guy, transforming them from dead ends into new, vibrant, and connected communities.
At Habitat, we build more than homes, we build community. For many families, their first time feeling part of a community begins with you. Thank you for uplifting homeowners, Habitat staff, and each other.
In partnership,
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Wendi Goodlett
President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
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Women+ Build 2024
Women+ Build 2024 is officially underway! After months of meticulous planning and thousands of dollars raised, our annual blitz build is in full swing, bringing two new houses to Osage Place. Our dedicated Women+ participants truly embody Habitat’s mission, transforming it into action. In just three weeks, they will have turned the dreams of homeownership into a reality for two deserving families.
Meet Rebekah and Dayanna, the future homeowners of these two wonderful homes. Rebekah is looking forward to her "dream home," which will feature accessibility adaptations tailored to her needs as someone who is legally blind. She envisions decorating her new space in "princess colors," taking more walks on the safer, flatter terrain, and spending quality time with family now that they will be closer than ever.
Dayanna, a single mother to her three-year-old son, Liam, is thrilled to finally have a place to call their own after years of living in overcrowded housing. The first thing she plans to do in their new home is dance with Liam. With a Pinterest board full of party ideas, Dayanna looks forward to hosting celebrations for milestones and watching her son grow in a space that truly feels like home.
Thank you, Women+, for making these dreams come true. We are deeply grateful to you all for your unwavering commitment to and passion for expanding affordable housing opportunities. Your contributions—whether through fundraising, building, or advocating for the cause—make everything we do possible.
We’re excited to report that we’ve successfully completed 10 out of our 12 build days, and the two houses are coming to life! With each passing day, we're making tremendous progress, bringing Rebekah and Dayanna's new futures closer.
The rally for our cause is still going strong—Women+ Build 2024 runs through the end of tomorrow, September 21. We're actively building, celebrating, and fundraising to reach our goal. Right now, we've raised $219,753 toward our target of $240,000, which will cover the materials needed to build homes. Your support can make a difference! Click the button below to join us in this vital effort.
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Ro & Tasha: A Home Built on Love
Ro and Tasha’s future home is built on love. This vibrant couple is deeply involved in the Habitat program, fully understanding and embracing the mission, which has helped them fulfill their aspirations. They share excitement about having a home of their own with more space for their close-knit family of eight, including their six children.
Tasha was initially unaware that a program like Habitat even existed, let alone that she and Ro would one day be part of it. When Ro, who has family involved with the program, first introduced her to it, they were inspired to pursue their dreams.
Receiving their acceptance letter marked a turning point, filling them with renewed energy. They wholeheartedly committed to the journey of becoming homeowners, taking on the entire process with enthusiasm and determination.
Throughout completing their sweat equity hours, Ro and Tasha have remained passionate about their future. They often bring their children to the construction site to witness the progress on their future home. During one of these visits, their family had a touching idea: to place a family photo in the foundation of their future house.
“We had this idea that our foundation should be built on love, family, and faith,” Ro explained. “Love is the foundation of everything,” he continued. “Now, it’s the foundation of our home, too. Anything built on that can be supported.”
Ro & Tasha's home is generously sponsored by the Baer family.
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New Staff at Habitat Headquarters
We’re thrilled to introduce the newest members of our Habitat team! Welcome to Mariluz (middle row, second from the left), our Homeowner Services Director, and Zoë (front row, center), our Marketing and Communications Manager.
Welcome to the family—where your fresh start is our shared joy! We can't wait to see the positive impact these individuals will bring to our mission and community.
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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
This past month, an inspiring sense of hope and motivation has permeated Habitat. Everyone deserves a decent place to live, and they also deserve the confidence to achieve their aspirations. Habitat is embodying this spirit by expanding neighborhoods, guiding future homeowners through the program, and welcoming new staff members, all of which are on a shared journey toward reaching goals.
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Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County | 213 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408 | | | | |