Home Dedication Ceremony Held for 3 New Homeowner Families

Last Saturday, July 30th, a Home Dedication Ceremony was held at Habitat for Humanity of key West and Lower Florida Keys’ Moss Landing development in Cudjoe Key for three families who recently closed on their new homes. The celebration was attended by several local government officials, including Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Christine Hurley and Monroe County Land Authority Sr. Property Acquisition Specialist Mark Rosch. Staff and board members of Habitat for Humanity, and friends and neighbors from the community were also in attendance.

Fellow Moss Landing homeowners made the celebration special with delicious home-cooked food, ice cream and gifts for the new homeowners. Kristina Welburn, Executive Director of Habitat, welcomed the families to the neighborhood and to homeownership, Board Chair Teri Hill performed the blessing of the homes, and Construction Manager Dan Livingston presented gifts to the homeowners.

Many homeowners spoke about what achieving their dream of homeownership meant to them and their families. “I’m just so, so, so excited, that being raised in Key West (and I’m a Conch) I get to stay here!” said Alana, who purchased a new 2-bedroom townhome for herself and her granddaughter. “I just love my community, I just love where I live, and I am so grateful for the blessing of my new neighbors… we help each other out, if I need something I call them, and we’re just showing that we already have that love.”

Local businesses sponsor each Habitat home, and these three homes were sponsored by Hemingway Home Museum, Strunk Ace Hardware and Historic Tours of America. Grant funding for the homes was also received from the Edward B. and Joan T. Knight Foundation, Wells Fargo Builds and Homeownership for All.