Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Building Homes, Changing Lives
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The face of the housing crisis isnt always who you think it is. Increasingly, the proportion of Central Floridians struggling to secure affordable housing threatens the American Dream, and with it, the long-standing means of wealth creation and key drivers of quality of life. According to the American Enterprise Institute, the median sales price for an entry-level house in the Orlando metro area more than doubled, from $140,000 to $325,000 between 2012 and 1Q2023. House price appreciation for Orlando increased at 2.5 times higher than the nation: 11.3% vs. 4.6%, driven by factors like population growth, limited land availability and rising building costs. Renting provides little relief. Many families are forced to spend a significant portion of their incomes on rent which leaves them with limited funds for necessities. As housing availability shrinks and costs rise, families with limited incomes face housing instability and become at risk of falling into a cycle of poverty.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Affordable Homeownership
We meet the critical need for safe, affordable housing and financial stability with generational impacts on families. To do this, we build new, accessible, energy-efficient homes for low-moderate income individuals and families. We ensure that their 30-year fixed rate mortgage costs about 30% or less of their household income. And we provide post-purchase case management if needed.
Habitat homebuyers complete Habitat U homeownership and financial education classes and contribute sweat equity by working on a build site or other activities for special needs.
An affordable home that needs little to no maintenance for years means our first-time homeowner families are set to experience all the benefits of homeownership: improved financial and housing stability, and better health, educational, and early childhood development outcomes.
Habitat U Education & HUD-Approved Housing Counseling
We expanded our Habitat U classes to help underserved community members (including youth) in the general public, free of charge. Participants take our classes that cover topics like budgeting, credit, savings, closing docs/predatory lending, foreclosure prevention, estate planning, home maintenance, disaster preparedness, and more.
We are a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and provide monthly First-Time Homebuyer Workshops and individual housing counseling to help families learn about purchasing a home, defaults, foreclosure prevention, paying down debt, saving, raising credit score, and other homeownership and financial stability topics.
Home Preservation
Our Home Preservation program helps homeowners stay in their affordable homes. We offer tools to lower home insurance premiums, as well as roof replacements and repairs.
Through Habitat Inspects, we provide free wind mitigation inspections to help lower insurance premiums, prevent policy cancellations, and identify resources to address roofing and other deficiencies. By providing these services free of charge, we aim to support homeowners in securing the necessary repairs or replacements they require to safeguard their homes.
We also provide free roof replacements and other critical repairs to existing affordable homes to enable people to keep their homes and live in safer, healthier, accessible homes.
Where we work
Awards
Best Places to Work 2022
Orlando Business Journal
Neighborhood Builders Award 2020
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Spirit of Engagement Award 2019
I4 Business Magazine
President & CEO, Catherine Steck McManus, Women of the Year 2019
Orlando Magazine
Women of the Year 2018
Orlando Magazine
Best Places to Work 2023
Orlando Business Journal
Affiliations & memberships
U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development 2011
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Approved Housing Counseling Agency 2023
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of houses built
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Affordable Homeownership
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of homes preserved through repairs and modifications
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Home Preservation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of preserved homes for low income families at risk of losing their homes and for low income persons with disabling conditions.
Number of community members who participated in our Habitat U Financial Education & Housing Counseling Program.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, At-risk youth
Related Program
Habitat U Education & HUD-Approved Housing Counseling
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Affordable, good quality, energy efficient homeownership opens the doors of opportunity for all to build wealth, access better credit terms, afford higher education, live healthier and safer, foster healthier childhood development and positive civic engagement, and pass along wealth and a better quality of life to future generations.
Habitat Orlando & Osceola hopes to accomplish the following goals through each of our programs:
Goal #1: To build and repair homes that provide safety and permanent housing stability and to promote prosperity for generations to come.
Goal #2: To increase the number of individuals in Central Florida who gain improvements in health, save on energy costs, build their savings, advance their education, and make more forward-looking choices.
Goal #3: Increase financial literacy and prepare families for successful and sustainable homeownership.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Habitat Orlando & Osceola's strategic approach is a four-pronged set of principles to expand opportunities for underserved people to achieve permanent homeownership. These principles are: 1) A business viewpoint that emphasizes financial stability, innovation, and growth; 2) An elevated and deeply informed view of our community's needs; 3) A clear, compassionate vision of how to meet them; 4) Leadership roles in the community to achieve it.
Some builders of affordable housing are motivated by profit and not by meeting community needs or reversing pervasive inequities. Conversely, some builders are guided by compassionate values but at times do not make business decisions that lead to growth. As an organization, we know that thinking big is the only way to meet our community's housing needs. At the same time, we provide the best quality home construction and repair products, along with caring, responsive service to our clients.
This strategic approach and regional leadership are changing the landscape of our community to make homeownership, in real terms, affordable, equitable, and abundant.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Since 1986 we have built, rehabbed, and repaired more than 850 homes. Achieving recognition as one of the 40 "top producers" out of the 1,100 nationwide affiliates, we have demonstrated exceptional dedication and success in our mission. Our commitment to making a significant impact and delivering outstanding results has positioned us among the most influential and productive organizations within the Habitat for Humanity network.
Habitat Orlando & Osceola is the only Habitat affiliate in Central Florida that is a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)-certified housing counseling agency. We are one of only five agencies in Osceola County and one of twelve in Orange County.
In August 2023, Habitat Orlando & Osceola launched the Face the Housing Crisis initiative to raise awareness about the housing challenges that affect a concerning number of teachers, firefighters, nurses, and others who are the backbone of our community. This initiative introduces the Cornerstone Housing Framework to mobilize the community to pioneer the change needed to address the affordable housing crisis.
Habitat for Humanity affiliates vary in their scope and impact. Our organization consistently builds an average of 24 new homes, preserves 45 Habitat homes, and offers financial education, housing counseling, as well as resources and referrals. These initiatives collectively benefit 1,500 individuals each year.
Recently Completed Housing Developments
Juniper Bend, 10 single-family homes completed in 2021.
Arbor Bend, 34 single-family homes completed in 2021.
Butlers Preserve, Orlando, 59 single-family homes completed in 2017.
Staghorn Villas, Orlando, 58 townhomes completed in 2013.
For many years, we have received the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, their highest level of recognition. We have been evaluated by Charity Navigator and earned a Four-Star Rating, their highest possible rating.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Thanks to our staff, the hard work of volunteers, and the generous support of donors, significant positive impacts were achieved for hardworking families in our community during our 2022-2023 fiscal year.
- We were certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and started offering First-Time Homebuyer Workshops.
- 783 volunteers contributed more than 4,371 hours in support of our mission.
- 24 individuals received mentoring services to help them reduce debt, save money, and improve their credit scores to be able to qualify for a home. Of those, 24 qualified to purchase a home with Habitat Orlando & Osceola.
- 116 families participated in our Habitat U classes that educate the community on homeownership and financial literacy.
- 17 Habitat homes were built for low to moderate-income individuals and families.
- 40 homes received a free replacement of their roofs, protecting them from unsafe, unhealthy living conditions.
- 10 families paid off their Habitat homes in full.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We offer incentives for feedback. It is still difficult to get historical feedback.
Financials
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Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Board of directorsas of 01/18/2024
Mr. Pete Barr, Jr.
&Barr
Term: 2020 - 2025
Janice Abrew-Coriano
Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Catherine McManus
Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Pete Barr
&Barr
Jeff Bittenbinder
Ravago Americas
Keith Lovett
Home Wise Realty Group
Rita McCauley
Grosvenor Services
Tom Harbert
Mateer Harbert
Bud Kirk
Rumberger Kirk
Jennifer Carroll
Community Volunteer
Paul Lartonoix
University of Central Florida
Tiffany Homler Hawkins
Lynx
Lennie Arnold
Chastain Skillman
Chevalier Lovett
Florida Rising
Chris Rollins
Williams Company Management Group
Cliff Long
Orlando Regional REALTOR Association
George Huddleston
Catalyst Design Group
Janice Abrew-Coriano
Rosen Hotels & Resorts
LaShawnda K. Jackson
RumbergerKirk
Ohme Entin
Orlando Health ORMC
Paul Sohl
Florida High Tech Corridor
Reggie White
Northrop Grumman
Robert Stuart, Jr.
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Michelle Chandler
SchenkelShultz Architecture
Patti Johnson
Mitsubishi Power Americas
Glen Gilzean
Central Florida Urban League
Michael Loulan
Orlando Magic
Trisha Engler
Universal Orlando
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/27/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.