Habitat for Humanity awarded $5,000 grant to use toward building, supporting affordable housing

ORLANDO, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County has been awarded a $5,000 grant from State Farm to use toward building and supporting affordable housing in Central Florida.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

According to a news release, Florida residents now need to make $24.82 an hour to afford a two-bedroom rental at fair-market value, a recent National Low Income Housing Coalition reported.

Half of Orlando’s workforce makes below $17.59 an hour.

READ: Young families leaving Orlando for more affordable spot, economists say

Nine out of 10 of workers in essential occupations, such as ambulance drivers and teaching assistants, are unable to afford a one-bedroom rental, a news release said.

“There are a lot of reasons why our community is suffering from one of the worst housing shortages in the country,” said Catherine Steck McManus, president and CEO of Habitat Greater Orlando & Osceola County, “and we have to work collaboratively in ways we never have before if we are going to reach solutions.”

READ: Orlando police, community volunteers help well-deserving senior fix up his home

“This grant embodies the spirit of what our company has been about for the last 100 years, about giving back and being a good neighbor,” said Jose Soto, a corporate responsibility analyst at State Farm. “We are excited to continue supporting Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County efforts to help build affordable homes in our communities.”

READ: Housing market sees big drop-off in January

The organization builds and repairs homes, and strengthens communities.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group