RALEIGH, N.C.– The SECU Foundation and Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina (HHNC) have announced the completion of the $11-million SECU Habitat Challenge.
The affordable housing project, which started five years ago between SECU Foundation, HHNC and statewide Habitat affiliates, “turned into an incredible opportunity for the non-profit to build capacity and expand its presence in counties where no Habitat home had ever been built before. It began with a celebratory first closing for a Macon County family in 2015 and concluded with a joyous ‘passing of keys’ to a Lee County family in the spring of this year,” SECU said.
The Challenge to build one new or renovated home in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties resulted in 102 families experiencing the benefits of home ownership through a nearly $11 million commitment by the SECU Foundation. The SECU Habitat Challenge, also known as the Mountains-to-the-Sea Challenge, is a significant milestone in the history of the Habitat organization – with North Carolina the only state in the country to have undertaken a project of this scope. The project helped one deserving family in every county fulfill their dream of owning a safe and affordable home, SECU added.
Current SECU Foundation Board member and former Board Chair McKinley Wooten, Jr. met with HHNC officials to execute the agreement which set the lofty goals of this venture in 2015.
“The SECU Habitat Challenge has been an unbelievable project – with this Challenge now come full circle,” Wooten said. “The collaboration and dedication of SECU, SECU Foundation, HHNC, local Habitat affiliates and an army of volunteers has made this project successful. An effort of this magnitude does not come without challenges, but collectively we overcame every obstacle with great determination. We are very proud to be part of a project that has truly made a difference in the lives of so many families, and at the same time, expanded the capacity for Habitat for Humanity of NC as they continue their mission for underserved families across the state.”
“From the first to the final Habitat home dedication, this project took enormous planning, teamwork, perseverance – driven by a deep desire to help others – in order to bring it to fruition,” added SECU Foundation Board Chair Jo Anne Sanford. “The transformational impact of this Challenge for Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina and for the 102 families who realized the dream of home ownership will be felt for many years to come. Congratulations to everyone on a tremendous accomplishment!”