MDHA was glad to participate in celebrating affordable housing home ownership for 18 new home buyers alongside Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville in August. The ribbon cutting and dedication was held at Habitat’s newest 58 single-family home neighborhood Village by the Creek in north Nashville.
“MDHA houses 30,000 Nashvillians, and creating quality affordable housing opportunities in Nashville is core to MDHA’s mission,” said MDHA Chief of Staff Jamie Berry. “Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville is so significant because MDHA specializes in rental housing, and this amazing nonprofit offers Nashvillians the next step – an opportunity to own a home.”
MDHA made $400,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding available to Habitat to help build the homes at Village by the Creek, including the 18 homes being dedicated at the event.
“But the homes, while beautiful, are not our focus,” Berry said. “Rather, it’s the homebuyers!”
Of the 18 new homebuyers, two have been MDHA residents and two have been participants in MDHA’s Section 8 program.
“It’s always a joy to celebrate new Habitat homeowners, and knowing there are those we are honoring who have been MDHA residents or program participants makes it extra special,” Berry said. “When an MDHA resident or program participant moves up and out, they allow us to serve other Nashvillians in need, so it’s really a win-win!”
Future Habitat homeowners commit to 100 hours of classroom instruction learning how to budget and maintain their homes, and 70 hours on the build site building their home and their neighbors’ homes. Berry commended the new home buyers on all their hard work – and it finally paying off in a big way.
“When an MDHA resident or program participant moves up and out, they allow us to serve other Nashvillians in need, so it’s really a win-win!”
MDHA Chief of Staff Jamie Berry
“With your determination and Habitat’s leadership and coaching, you have achieved the American dream!” she said.
Photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville
