Episode 77: Atlanta Habitat for Humanity is helping families thrive.

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has worked with more than 5,000 family members to achieve the dream of affordable homeownership since 1983.  Their mission; to transform communities by acting as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.  Through education, innovative development, partnerships, and long-term relationships with families.

CEO Alan Ferguson is sharing homeownership statistics and the importance of their work in and on the metro Atlanta community.

What is affordable housing?

“Federal HUD standards say that if you’re spending more than 30% of your income on housing costs then essentially,”  you are in the unaffordable range.  Despite helping 5K plus families, there’s still more work to be done. “We haven’t been able to build enough, fast enough to meet the demand for affordable housing,” explains Ferguson

The complex issue Ferguson says is the long game.  “How do we create opportunities for individuals and families to increase their incomes and economic viability so that we can create opportunities for their economic mobility?”

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity invests in relationships.  “Getting the family in the home is just the beginning.”  The organization provides long-term support with financial literacy and homeownership education programs.

2023 will be the organizations 40th year of service.  “We are going to celebrate not only those who’ve supported us through the years but really celebrate those families and homeowners who participated in our programs.”

The man behind the title

People would be surprised to find out just “how much of a nerd I am.  I enjoy fun things just like everybody else.”  But Ferguson explains, “I’m really into comics.  I’m really into movies.  Especially the superhero variety.  I’ve been a Star Wars fan ever since I seen it in the theatre.  I don’t play sides, so I’m somewhat of a Trekkie!”

But he has no problem choosing between DC and Marvel.  “I like the DC characters.  I go to see the DC movies and all that.  But when it comes down to it, I’m a Marvel fan!”  Same here!

Visit Atlantahabitat.org for more information on how you can support equitable housing in the metro Atlanta area.  And be sure to follow us at The Corelink Solution and James Rosseau Sr. on Twitter.

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