LaBelle – With a baby on the way, LaBelle couple Nathan and Joann Adams knew they had to move out of her sister’s home.

They shared one room in a two-bedroom home with a family of five before reaching out to Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties.

“We came to Habitat in hopes of buying our own home where we can live and raise our son. With Jonah coming next month we really needed more space,” said Nathan Adams.

In order to qualify for a Habitat home prospective owners need to earn less than 80 percent of the area median income. They are also required to contribute 300 hours of “sweat equity,” pay $1,700 towards closing costs and attend more than 20 hours of homeowner workshops before purchasing their affordable mortgage.

On Friday, Aug. 16 the Adams and guests were invited to their new home for a dedication ceremony hosted by Habitat. Hendry County Commissioner Darrell Harris was invited to present the family with the keys to their new home.

A statement released on Facebook stated: “Hendry County BOCC is proud to partner with our SWFL Habitat for Humanity to help further the reach of the organization’s powerful impact in our local communities.”

This fiscal year Habitat will complete two homes in LaBelle for low-income families to afford a decent place to live. Currently Florida Hometown Title & Escrow and other community partners are fundraising and organizing volunteers for a new LaBelle build in 2020.

Besides fundraising and home building in LaBelle, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is also a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved counseling agency, offering financial advice to all residents.

Learn more about how Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is building strength, stability and self-reliance for local families at habitat4humanity.org.