In December of 2023, Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys was awarded a grant of $15,000 from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys to extend our critical repair program from Key West through Big Pine Key.

At Habitat Lower Keys, our mission is to build strength and stability through safe and affordable housing. Going beyond constructing homes and providing rentals, our critical home repair program recognizes the importance helping low-income families maintain safe homes, and of helping older adults age safely at home.

Habitat for Humanity was grateful for the help of volunteers from Wells Fargo that helped finish up a critical repair job for and elderly low-income couple this week. The critical home repairs were made possible through the Wells Fargo Builds program, which supports the construction, renovation and repairing of more than 350 affordable homes across the U.S.. Repairs made to this home included a remodeled front porch, which will enable the homeowners to access their home without fearing for their safety.

Habitat for Humanity was grateful for the help of a group of dedicated Navy Chiefs for a property clean-up last Saturday. This was one of a series of hurricane relief property clean-ups that Habitat has been organizing since Hurricane Ian swept by the Keys on September 28th, causing local flood and wind damage.

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys recently received a $15,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to help build a home in their Moss Landing development on Cudjoe Key in the Lower Florida Keys. Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of its nationwide initiative to help low to moderate income families build and improve their homes across the U.S.

Habitat staff and board members, local government officials, neighbors, friends and family recently gathered to celebrate the occasion of three hard-working families moving into their new homes in Cudjoe Key with a Home Dedication Ceremony.

Last week for their first community volunteer day, the Habitat staff and some of their volunteers got together to repaint the fence at the Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters Museum, one of the landmark museums operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society. It was a hot day but volunteers worked quickly and had a great time doing it. “It was great to participate in something that had such an immediate, visible impact on the community,” said Terence White, who works as the office manager for Habitat. “It was also really nice to be out of the office and to get to experience another aspect of the work Habitat does. And I got to climb to the top of the lighthouse!”

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, with sponsorship from the City of Key West, makes necessary home repairs for low-income residents to ensure their homes stay safe and accessible. We recently coordinated with Gary the Carpenter to construct a new ramp to allow Rick Smith and his girlfriend Tricia Consiglio to safely access his condo. We believe home repairs are a necessary component of preserving our current stock of affordable housing.

Home prices are increasing rapidly but household incomes have not kept pace, putting homeownership out of reach for many. Habitat advocates for public policies on land acquisition, use and development to lower the cost of homebuilding, and prices Habitat homes at fair market value to reflect prevailing market conditions. Learn more about how Habitat is removing barriers to accessible homeownership in the Lower Florida Keys.

Groups of volunteers from all walks of life in the Lower Keys community came out May 21 and May 28 to work alongside Habitat Homebuyers to put the finishing touches on their Cudjoe Key homes. Volunteers helped with: Painting Interior Walls, Painting Exterior Columns, Staining & Sealing Decks & Stairs, Lattice Installation, Clearing Debris and Landscaping. A delicious hot lunch was cooked by one of the Homeowners and provided for everyone on both Saturdays.

Supporters of Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys enjoyed a lovely evening under the stars at Habitat’s Annual Gala, held at Truman’s Little White House last Thursday, April 28th. Guests celebrated with lively conversation, cocktails, games, dining, dancing, and lots of color. It had been 2 years since our last gala, our main fundraising event which helps fund Habitat’s affordable housing mission, and everyone was excited to celebrate and contribute generously to the mission.

Several groups of students recently chose to spend their spring break vacations using their powers for good and helping Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys with various important projects.

APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN! ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS 3/1/22—3/31/22! Click here to download an application. Haga clic aquí para descargar una aplicación en español. Please review the information in the Buy a Home section of the website to see if this program might be a good fit for your family.

Habitat Warehouse on Rockland Key now open Wednesdays from 2:00pm-6:00pm, Thursdays 9:00am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm!

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys recently received grant funding from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys to help fund our new Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative.

Our first Warehouse Sale in our new Rockland Key location was held on January 15th and was a huge success! Despite being a little tricky to find, our new Habitat Warehouse is off to a great start.

Eight Lower Keys families are now homeowners thanks to their partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys.