Habitat for Humanity of Collier County

While we cannot address specifics about any partner family’s mortgage status in a public forum, we regret that this is your perspective of your experience with our organization and your partnership with us. We strive to set families up for success, working closely with our partners through the pre-purchase process and remaining engaged and in communication far beyond the closing of the home as a resource when the need arises. Our homeownership program operates on the model that families pay an affordable mortgage to build equity and eventually own their homes outright, just like any other mortgage. More than 600 Habitat Collier homeowners have paid off their mortgages to date. Unlike a standard mortgage holder, we work closely with families who communicate to us that they are experiencing hardship and offer solutions to get them back on track and to avoid foreclosure. When situations of severe delinquency arise, we may offer to purchase a home back to avoid an individual’s future credit being impacted by the weight of a foreclosure on their record, this should not be construed as an attempt to kick someone out of their home. Our goal is to keep families in their homes so that they may pass them on to their children, breaking generational cycles. Foreclosure is truly a last resort that only results when all other options have been exhausted or when a family becomes uncommunicative and there is no other choice. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization and as such, we do not sell any home for profit, foreclosed or not. Over our 46 years in operation, we have successfully worked with and counseled many families through difficult situations, resulting in an all-time foreclosure rate of less than 1%. With more than 2,500 homes completed since 1978, that means foreclosure has occurred fewer than 25 times in more than four decades. Additionally, Homeowner Associations in Habitat for Humanity communities are operated by an independent board that is elected by the homeowners in the subdivision, as they are in any market-rate community. While Habitat often helps facilitate, any violations, fines, pet registrations, etc. are matters to be addressed with the HOA and not with Habitat for Humanity. As an organization which prides itself on the diversity of our staff and those we partner with, and who is an equal opportunity housing provider, we are disturbed by your accusations of racism and discrimination and would like the opportunity to investigate and address these claims. Please contact our office at 239-775-0036.