We are now Piedmont Habitat for Humanity
Over the past 28 years, the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity has served 42 families with new home construction and minor repairs. This has only been possible because of individuals and organizations- advocates, donors, and volunteers- who embrace the vision of a community where everyone has a decent place to live. Over the last 5 years, Habitat’s capacity to serve and resulting builds have increased dramatically.
But since the need for safe, decent, affordable housing continues to grow, we are not content to remain where we are. In our local community, 58% of households fall below the Household Survival Budget, the bare minimum income a family needs to meet the basic necessities each month. Since housing costs are a large portion of that budget, we desire to help as many families as possible experience the stability that comes with affordable homeownership and affordable repairs.
To that goal, we are happy to announce that as of July 1, the Nelson County Habitat for Humanity will merge with our affiliate. Jayne Johnson, Executive Director of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity, notes, “We are honored to be recognized for our history of local impact and to be seen as a model Habitat affiliate.” Nelson County will join the counties we currently call home: Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, and Prince Edward. To embrace our truly regional identity, our name is changing to Piedmont Habitat for Humanity.
Our new neighbors in Nelson have their own deep Habitat history. Founded in 1994, they have built 26 homes as an all-volunteer led affiliate. They have enjoyed a unique partnership since 2012 with the Building Trades class at Nelson County High School, as the students build the majority of each home on campus, before moving to the site where finish work is completed. Fred McGee, the Chair of the Board of Directors for Nelson Habitat notes, “The combination with Farmville Habitat will enable us to continue and expand our mission of providing affordable housing to Nelson County and other rural Virginia counties.”
The combined expertise, experience, and resources of both affiliates will allow for all five counties to be served with even greater capacity. Johnson states, “We have created an aggressive strategic plan for the next five years that will truly change the landscape of affordable housing in our region.” Piedmont Habitat for Humanity eagerly anticipates and appreciates the continued support of local citizens who rally together to lend a hand in helping all of our neighbors build a brighter tomorrow through the stability of safe, decent, affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity serves lower to medium income individuals and families who have a demonstrated need for housing, the ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and are willing to partner by volunteering hundreds of hours working on their home and another Habitat home.
