Walton County has repeatedly broken home sales records, especially in recent years. This steep increase in property values continues to drive housing costs higher and higher, while forcing workers ever further away. Results include workforce shortages, stress on working families, commuter traffic, and higher prices for all consumers.
Teresa Jones, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, works tirelessly to manage the housing crisis and offers multiple opportunities for our entire community to participate. Their mission: bring people together to build homes, community, and hope.
For those of us who want to be hands on, Habitat welcomes you to volunteer at a build site. Habitat aims to finish their 60th home before Christmas of 2022 and emphasizes that the homes represent a helping hand, not a handout! Each home is purchased by a local homeowner who pays mortgage costs, insurance, taxes, and invests 250 hours of sweat equity. It is volunteer labor, donated materials and vendor services that shrink costs - making the homes more affordable.
The Walton County Habitat ReStore & Donation Center has volunteer opportunities too. Teresa reminded me, ‘Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We truly could not run without volunteers.'
Donors can give home goods and construction materials to the new Habitat ReStore in Santa Rosa Beach. In its first year, this store impacted more than 18,000 families. The reduced prices for home goods help offset rising costs of home ownership. ReStore sales pay for all of Habitat’s operating costs in Walton County. The reduced price for home goods counters the rising cost of home ownership. Finally, as if that wasn’t enough good news, 115,000 pieces of construction materials have been diverted from a local landfill this year thanks to our local Habitat ReStore!
Finally, Habitat Walton County hosts events throughout the year - fundraisers, skill workshops, and more. On November 29th, Habitat Walton County will accept donations for Giving Tuesday. On Thursday, December 1st, they will host the Walton Area Chamber’s Business After Hours. On Friday, February 10th, Habitat will host their 5th Annual Hard Hats & High Heels at the Hilton Sandestin which benefits their Women Build 2023 Initiative. Contact them to find out how you can be a part of making a permanent difference in the lives of local families through safe, stable housing 365 days a year.
Website: waltoncountyhabitat.org
Volunteer Inquiries: Kaitlyn Sanchez, volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org
Cash and ReStore Donations: 850-660-6004