ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County is marking a major milestone in one of Orlando\u2019s most historic neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning to celebrate the start of construction on two new affordable homes in the Parramore community.<\/p>\n
Habitat Orlando & Osceola President & CEO Catherine Steck McManus was joined by District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose to ceremoniously break ground on the new homes. The properties will be sold to local families with affordable mortgages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re able to continue to bring amazing families to Parramore, and so many of them have already lived in the community for so many years,\u201d McManus said. \u201cIt\u2019s very meaningful. Everyone deserves to have a mortgage that is affordable to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The groundbreaking was more than a construction milestone \u2014 it reflected four decades of commitment to the Parramore neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Since its founding 40 years ago, Habitat Orlando & Osceola has built more than 70 homes in Parramore, including 10 last year.<\/p>\n
The sustained investment has not gone unnoticed. In May, the Downtown Orlando Partnership honored the nonprofit with a Golden Brick Award in the Sustainability & Resiliency category, recognizing how thoughtful housing investment creates lasting impact in the community.<\/p>\n
The effort is also a collaborative one. Habitat Orlando & Osceola partners with the City of Orlando, which provides grant funds through its Community Investment Program, as well as down payment assistance for many Habitat homebuyers.<\/p>\n