Atlanta Habitat, along with Habitat for Humanity International, and 83 U.S. Habitat affiliate organizations, recently received $436 million in unrestricted giving from American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Of that, Atlanta Habitat received $13.5 million. This transformational donation will substantially help further Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has equitable access to a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. 

“Since 1983, Atlanta Habitat has served more than 6,000 family members in over 100 neighborhoods across our various programs and initiatives,” said Rosalyn Merrick, interim president and CEO, Atlanta Habitat. “We hope this gift will inspire others to contribute to Atlanta Habitat’s mission. The affordable housing shortage is affecting families throughout our communities, and we are grateful to Ms. Scott and other like-minded champions who are helping us make Atlanta a place where all people have access to quality affordable housing in safe, vibrant neighborhoods with opportunities to thrive.” 

Atlanta Habitat will use its portion of the donation to expand access to affordable, quality homeownership to families in Atlanta.

This funding will support the organization’s ongoing efforts to address challenges stemming from rising housing costs and rents that have disproportionately fallen on entry-level, owner-occupied housing, as well as recover from the significant drop in home purchases by African Americans in Atlanta communities between 2015 and 2019. 

“Specifically, the donation will allow Atlanta Habitat to accelerate current plans to diversify our construction portfolio while safely navigating through an affordable housing crisis aided by a changing economic environment, escalating materials and land costs, a corresponding tight labor market, and a global health pandemic,” said Merrick. “Ultimately, this gift enables us to serve more families in metro Atlanta.”

In addition to Atlanta Habitat, there are four other metro Atlanta and Georgia affiliates selected by the donor to receive funds, including: Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity, Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity, Houston County Habitat for Humanity, and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat International will use its $25 million portion of the donation to prioritize advocacy and programmatic efforts designed to dismantle systemic racism in housing. Specifically, the donation will allow Habitat to advocate for policy proposals and legislation that enable millions of people access affordable housing through its Cost of Home advocacy campaign; increase Black homeownership in the U.S. by targeting current systemic barriers through a new initiative that will launch this summer; and leverage innovative capital investments that service communities of color. 

“Habitat works to break down barriers and bring people together — to tear down obstacles and build a world where everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from, has a decent place to live,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “This incredible gift helps make that work possible.”