ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 With the costs of home construction rising, a local nonprofit is making adjustments to help build affordable housing for low-income families.<\/p>\n
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County is increasing fundraising efforts to stay on schedule with its current construction pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaterials continue to increase, and vendor costs continue to increase, but the difference between Habitat and a for-profit builder is we have to raise the money to build the home,\u201d President and CEO Catherine McManus said.<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost for new residential construction rose 4.2% over the last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust material costs. Lumber, wiring, you name it. Concrete is even more expensive,\u201d McManus said. \u201cOur fundraising team is out there every day working to share the impact we\u2019re making in the community and asking people for support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since 2020, building costs have risen by roughly 45%. The increase has been driven by a number of factors, including labor shortages, high demand, and storm-related construction.<\/p>\n
In addition to fundraising, McManus said the nonprofit\u2019s newly launched Faith Build initiative may also help offset some of the cost increases.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmazing volunteers helping us build a home, which does help decrease the cost a little because they\u2019re doing the work that we would typically have to pay someone to do,\u201d McManus said. \u201cSecondly, it is getting people to understand the work that Habitat does, and then they go out and spread the word.\u201d<\/p>\n