Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on ‘Raise the Roof’ Homes in Goshen, Elkhart
According to a report from The Elkhart Truth, Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County recently celebrated the start of construction on two new homes that will provide safe, affordable housing opportunities for local families. Ceremonies were held for the Portillo family on Indiana Avenue in Elkhart on June 2 and for the Carmona family on Fenmore Avenue in Goshen on May 26.
During the ceremonies, the future homeowners stood alongside Habitat leaders, sponsors, volunteers and supporters as they turned the first shovels of soil, marking the official beginning of construction and an important step toward affordable homeownership.
Both future homeowners are single mothers who have faced housing challenges while working to provide stability for their families. Kayla Portillo and her three children have been living in a small two-bedroom apartment, with Kayla sleeping in the living room due to limited space. Marisol Carmona and her two children were living in crowded conditions that made it difficult to find peace and stability. Through Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program, both families are now building a path toward long-term security, self-reliance and hope, organizers said.
The homes are being funded through Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County’s annual Raise the Roof event, held in April. During the event, Portillo and Carmona worked alongside volunteers and corporate-sponsored teams to construct the wall panels that will become part of their homes. Construction on both homes is expected to begin in July.
During the Portillo family groundbreaking, Alex Otto, communications director for the City of Elkhart, shared remarks on behalf of the city, expressing appreciation for Habitat for Humanity’s partnership in strengthening the community through affordable homeownership.
Sustaining Partners include Welch Packaging, Patrick Industries, Crossroads United Way, Welter Foundation, Old National Bank and the Bontrager Foundation. Raise the Roof sponsors are Winnebago Industries, Patrick Industries, Genesis Products, Forest River, Interra Credit Union, Lippert, Dave Carter & Associates and Wieland.
Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County is celebrating its 40th anniversary, with 246 homes built locally and nine more under construction.
Click here for the full report from The Elkhart Truth. Please note there is a paywall.
