Bill Wright and Lora Blakeslee Atkinson
At a recent Kiwanis Club meeting, members heard an update on the activities of Habitat for Humanity of Denton County. Barbara Leurig, president, welcomed Lora Blakeslee Atkinson from Habitat for Humanity of Denton County and Bill Wright, a Kiwanis Club member. Lora is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Denton County, and Bill is a board member.
Habitat for Humanity of Denton County, established in 1994, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the growing housing needs of Denton County and underlying causes of housing instability. Habitat is committed to the belief that every individual deserves a decent place to live with dignity and safety.
Habitat for Humanity of Denton County has built 108 homes and serves more than 350 county residents annually who are low income and at one time resided in sub-standard poverty conditions. With their help, homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better future for themselves and for their families. Habitat’s homebuyers invest 350 to 400 hours of their own labor, called “sweat equity,” into building their home, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners, in addition to paying an affordable mortgage and receiving financial education.
The organization is actively developing Habitat Village, an eight-acre neighborhood project that will provide affordable housing to 35 families over the next 10 years. Habitat Village will be situated in Southeast Denton on the vacant, eight-acre property between Duncan and Hill Streets. Habitat Denton bought the land in 2015 and has been waiting for the right time to launch the Habitat Village. As lot prices and building costs continue to climb in the City of Denton, now is the best time to move this project forward. Habitat Village will be a center of home building activities over the next 10 years, enabling Habitat Denton County to manage the cost of lots for future homes. A capital campaign is underway to raise the $1.9 million required for site preparation, utilities, and infrastructure installation.
The Habitat for Humanity of Denton County ReStore is a discount home improvement center that sells quality new and previously owned goods at discounted prices in support of our mission. The ReStore raises funds to build future homes and helps to recycle items that would otherwise go into a landfill. All funds raised from donations and ReStore profits go directly into Denton County home builds and other community resources.
Habitat for Humanity of Denton County is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. All operations and funding is administered locally. Habitat for Humanity of Denton County remains dedicated to bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope in Denton County.
Please see their website at habitatdentoncounty.org.