Seeking to meet an unprecedented level of need, leaders of Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia (HFH-NCG) have announced plans to build 70 new homes in three communities over the next three to five years in Forsyth, Cherokee and, for the first time, Dawson counties. The announcement was made at HFH-NCG’s community awareness event held on December 5, 2024, at Brown’s Bridge Church in Cumming. 

“Our expansion comes at a critical time.” said Steve Napier, executive director of Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia. “Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges in our community today. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference and create a brighter future for families in our community.”

The HFH-NCG campaign has a goal of raising $9 million over the next three years. When combined with funds from government grants and corporate, faith and civic partners, it will support infrastructure development, building costs and the construction of the 70 homes in three neighborhoods in three counties.

The new communities will be inspired by Pinewood Heights, the 14-lot Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia neighborhood in Gainesville, which now has six completed homes providing safe, affordable housing for six families. 

At the awareness event, attendees learned about some remarkable families and their journeys to stability and homeownership, which were made possible thanks to HFH-NCG. 

+ Jason Craig tragically lost his wife to a severe brain aneurysm five years ago. Overwhelmed by grief and without a stable living situation, Jason found himself in a desperate place while raising his young daughter, KK, on his own. Through the support of Family Promise, one of our partner agencies, Jason and KK regained stability and were able to qualify for Habitat’s program, opening the door to a brighter future.

+ After losing her job of 11 years, Jada Parks faced significant financial hardships. However, her resilience and determination paid off. Just last month, she became a proud homeowner, celebrating the start of a new chapter in her life.

+ Amber Jones went from being pregnant without a home to becoming a Habitat Homeowner and proud mother of a son who is thriving. When she first applied for a Habitat home, she was denied on account of not having her financials in order. Jones did not give up. She fixed her financials, found a stable job and organized her life. She applied a second time, and with much celebration, was welcomed into the Homeownership program.

The HFH-NCG community awareness event was sponsored by Synovus Bank and organized by a 50-member host committee under the direction of Committee chairpersons Marilyn Margolis, Cindy Mills and Brantley Day. For more information about supporting the initiative, contact Katherine Ortwerth, director of philanthropy, at [email protected] or Steve Napier, executive director, at [email protected].

Founded in 2006, Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia, serves Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth and North Fulton counties and enables individuals to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

Named to the 2024 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit list, Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia offers:

+ New home construction and rehab programs focus on helping families become first-time home buyers.

+ Home Repair Program serving the needs of current non-Habitat seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners.

+ Corporate team building activities.

+ Student engagement programs involving high school students from local area high schools.

+ Women Build, which is a group of women of all ages from around the area that raise enough money to put one family in a home every year and build alongside the new homeowner.