USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 26, No. 18
May 6, 2026
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS PENSACOLA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EXPANDS ACCESS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP
Photos courtesy of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity
By Nic Fenger
A
s the cost of living climbs nationwide, many Floridians are finding it increasingly difficult to secure and finance new homes in today’s competitive market. Even as new residential developments continue to rise across Northwest Florida, ensuring these new homes remain attainable for local residents is more important than ever. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity (Pensacola Habitat) is one organization working to meet that need. “Five or six years ago, it would take a family making the average median income 3.5 times that income to purchase an average-priced home in Pensacola,” Habitat President and CEO Sam Young explained. “Now, it requires about 4.8 times the median income to purchase the averagepriced home. So, you can see that it has become increasingly difficult, and families that would have qualified for a mortgage five years ago can no longer qualify for a mortgage amount necessary to purchase just an average-priced home in this market.” Pensacola Habitat was established in 1981 and has grown into the eighth largest of the 1,000 Habitat organizations in the country. This nonprofit organization has not only constructed 17,000 new homes across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties but also helps homeowners maintain and finance new homes. Pensacola Habitat has created groundbreaking initiatives to both improve home affordability and expand homeowner knowledge. “While we were traditionally just a homebuilder for affordable homes, we have grown into what we refer to as a home ownership solution organization,” Young said. “Meaning the families that we serve now expand from those folks who are in a rental situation to people who are in that missing middle where they don't they make too much to qualify for a Pensacola Habitat home but don't make enough to go out on the open market and purchase a home on their own.” Beyond building new homes, Pensacola Habitat also helps equip future homeowners with the financial knowledge and longterm stability needed to succeed in homeownership. As a HUD-certified counseling agency, the organization also develops innovative strategies to reduce housing costs and advocates for policies that support local homeowners. In accordance with these goals and values, Pensacola Habitat is
offering several programs to help people realize their dreams of homeownership: the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust (CLT), the Homebuyer Program, neighborhood programs, rental properties and market-rate homes. The Northwest Florida Community Land Trust The Northwest Florida Community Land Trust (CLT), created by Pensacola Habitat in 2023, is most helpful for those with lower incomes. Through this share-equity model, the CLT sells the home to buyers via a ground lease. A homeowner can purchase and own the home while the CLT keeps ownership of the land. This separation of homeownership and landownership allows people to buy homes at reasonable prices within their spending range. This practice also allows the price of the home to remain consistently affordable for future generations of homeowners. Pensacola Habitat’s most recent partnerships are helping to direct traffic to the CLT. Through the Home for Good Program, Levin Rinke’s agents are working to refer aspiring homeowners who cannot purchase a home on traditional markets to Pensacola Habitat’s land trust. “It's a win-win for everybody,” Young said. “Levin Rinke gets to help people that they would not otherwise be able to help, and we get to increase our homebuyer pipeline with referrals from 400 realtors out in the open market.” Another CLT-related program is the Blueprint to Homeownership program. In partnership with the Home Builders Association (HBA) of West Florida and the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Habitat put three new homes up for purchase on citydonated land. Although all homebuyers interested in these homes must attend an eight-hour PrePurchase Homebuyer Workshop, for this program, they are not required to complete sweat equity or other requirements like background checks. A limited-time program, Blueprint to Homeownership has already sold two of its three new homes. One home at 2300 West Jackson Street is still available for applications approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Basic eligibility requirements for Blueprint to Homeownership include: • Must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen • Income below or at 80% AMI (area median income) • Minimum preapproval mortgage of $180,000 • Provide $3,500 down payment at closing
The CLT applies to aspiring homeowners in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Benefits of utilizing the CLT include lower homeownership costs; increased housing security, including security from eviction; permanent affordable housing and opportunities for building equity through homeownership. In order to qualify for the CLT, individuals must meet the following criteria: • Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen • Have 12 months of current employment, having lived or worked in either county for at least one year • $30,000 annual income in Escambia County, or $35,000 annual income in Santa Rosa County The Homebuyer’s Program Alternatively, the organization encourages families or individuals making a steady income to leverage the Homebuyer Program, Pensacola Habitat’s flagship homeownership program. As part of this program, aspiring homeowners become active participants in their journeys to ownership with hands-on involvement in helping build a home. “They provide 100 hours of sweat equity on either their home or another colleague's home that is being built,” Young explained. “They go through an educational curriculum, and we help them identify and secure subsidies that we have access to which will bring down the cost of that home for them. They will qualify for a mortgage, but a mortgage that is much less than what it would take to purchase a home on the open market. Then, we get them to close, and, at the end of that process, they will completely own a home.” This process cultivates an intimate connection with homes and a knowledge of proper home financial management. Through sweat equity, homebuyers work side-by-side with volunteers to build a home from the framing to the furnishing. Through the financial classes, homeowners acquire essential skills for navigating the financial maintenance of a home—budgeting, home maintenance, financial planning and more. There are few better ways for new Pensacola homeowners to prepare for homeownership than utilizing the Homebuyer’s Program. “They need to be a first-time home buyer,” Young clarified. “All that means is they can't have owned a home for the last two years. They need to have a stable income and have been employed for a minimum of two years. They need a credit score of at least 620, and they have
to income-qualify. And, depending on the family size, that income that would qualify them for the Homebuyer’s Program would vary based on the number of folks in the family. But, for a single person, the maximum they can make is around $60,000.” Other requirements for this program include being a U.S. citizen of at least 18 years of age and having an unmarried or married but not separated relationship status. Alternative Housing Options Other avenues for finding a home through Pensacola Habitat are neighborhoods and rental properties. Plus, market-rate homes are on the horizon—with listings to be announced when available on the organization’s website. Pensacola Habitat’s neighborhoods provide homeowners with the opportunity to not only secure a home but also join a community. Hancock Meadows, the most recently constructed neighborhood, has 33 homes with floor plans that include two to four bedrooms per house. Other amenities include attached garages, impact windows and Moen plumbing. This community will also feature a community park thanks to Pensacola Habitat’s partnership with PenAir Credit Union. To learn about the requirements for applying to live in Hancock Meadows or other Habitat neighborhoods, visit the website pensacolahabitat.org/requirements. Rental properties are also available, providing a more flexible and even lower-cost option for those who are not quite ready for full homeownership. All rental properties come with floor plans with three to four bedrooms and one to two bathrooms, and the property owner handles most maintenance responsibilities. For more information on application and eligibility for Habitat’s rental homes, visit pensacolahabitat.org/rentals. Volunteering and Other Support However, purchasing or renting a home through Pensacola Habitat’s programs isn’t the only way to support the organization. “We have tens of thousands of hours a year that the volunteers come out and help build homes, support us at the ReStore and support us and our administrative offices,” Young said. “The volunteer component of our mission has never been greater, and the commitment and passion that they demonstrate each and every day is remarkable. We would not be able to do what we do without that volunteer support.” Volunteer opportunities are available for anyone of at least 16 years of age to sign up for on Pensacola Habitat’s website. Opportuni-
ties in Pensacola are divided into three groups: construction, ReStore and the community development program. For construction, no prior experience is required to be able to help. Slots are available for both framing and, occasionally, landscaping. The team at ReStore distributes donated furniture and home supplies to new homeowners. Volunteers in this group work in flexible four-hour time blocks, completing tasks like donation processing and furniture restoration. However, the organization also encourages volunteers with special skills like experience in demolition or collectible evaluation to lend their talents to this work. Meanwhile, community development involves repairing and rehabilitating damaged or dilapidated homes, especially homes of senior and disabled citizens and homes impacted by natural disasters. Projects include painting, installing accommodative structures for handicapped homeowners and cleaning up neighborhoods. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities or apply, email volunteer@pensacolahabitat.org. You can also support the organization by donating items such as stocks, land, vehicles, or home goods. Additional details are available on Pensacola Habitat’s donation webpage. Thanks to the efforts of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, the dream of homeownership in Pensacola is becoming a more achievable reality for the working class. The organization built 53 new homes for 53 families last year, with the organization’s counseling programs, rental homes and ReStore donations making even more positive impacts. Supporting initiatives of organizations like Pensacola Habitat ensures that more Floridians can afford homes and grow fulfilling lives. “We're going to build nine beautiful homes on the former Malcolm Yonge property,” Young said. “We have lots scattered all over Escambia and Santa Rosa County you can select from. So, if you're looking for a home, do not discount the advantages of working with Pensacola Habitat to find your solution.” To get involved with or learn more about Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and their affordable housing programs, visit pensacolahabitat.org or call (850) 434-5456. Those interested can also follow @PensacolaHabitatforHumanity on Facebook and @pensacolahabitat on Instagram for updates on the latest programs, volunteer opportunities and important news.■
visit SummationWeekly.com