SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Over 150 families received a new home with the assistance of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.<\/p>\n
7News spoke with Alex Leal, who received a new home from the organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelcome to my humble abode,\u201d said Leal. <\/p>\n
Alec Leal toured the new home with 7News. <\/p>\n
\u201cI intend to build a bar here,\u201d said Leal, pointing at a section of the interior of his new home.<\/p>\n
The retired U.S. Marine, a former helicopter mechanic, is ready to move in thanks to Habitat for Humanity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I got back from the military, I pretty much had to start from scratch,\u201d said Leal. \u201cWhen this opportunity came about, I was extremely grateful and ready to jump in, and take on this new challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding affordable housing is challenge that many in South Florida face.<\/p>\n
However, Habitat for Humanity steps in with the support of community organizations, including WSVN and the Ansin Foundation.<\/p>\n
The contributions helped provide infrastructure for the entire townhome community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father really started our company, our family\u2019s, involvement with Habitat here in Miami-Dade,\u201d said Andrew Ansin, CEO of Sunbeam Development & Television. \u201cIt\u2019s grown into Broward County, and we love seeing the houses get built, and this is much more than a house nowadays that they\u2019re building. And it\u2019s really exciting to see the families that are moving in, and it\u2019s really really good for the community to have places that people can afford.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leal\u2019s new home, donated by WSVN, is part of a Habitat community of 150 new units<\/a> to help 150 South Florida families to become homeowners.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a drop in the bucket, really. I mean we are thousands of units short in Miami-Dade County to become an affordable housing community,\u201d said Mario Artecona, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami. \u201cBut we don\u2019t lose faith, and I think 150, if you ask those families, that changes their world, so that\u2019s good enough for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside WSVN, other sponsors include Baptist Hospital, Assurant, Amarant, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Bean Automotive Group, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, and the Ortega Foundation.<\/p>\n All of the organizations helped make home ownership a reality for so many.<\/p>\n \u201cVery fulfilling for our companies and our foundations to give back to the community, something we feel we should be doing,\u201d said Ansin. \u201cWe\u2019ve been very fortunate, and a large part of that is because of the community here, and to the extent we can, we\u2019re gonna help, also help to promote the good deeds and activities that Habitat for Humanity and so many other organizations do in town, and to amplify that message to the TV station, and help them financially by way of the foundations.\u201d<\/p>\n Construction is not complete yet, but it already feels like home for Leal and his family, who are one of many to be homeowners.<\/p>\n \u201cAppreciative, elated, and ready to move forward and continue with this process.\u201d said Leal.<\/p>\n Construction is still ongoing, but Leal is expected to be able to move into the new home in June.<\/p>\n FOR MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
305-634-3628
www.miamihabitat.org<\/a><\/p>\n