FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2024
Contact:
Devonna Almagro | Director of Communications
(619) 283-4663 x125
devonna.almagro@sandiegohabitat.org
Media Release
San Diego Habitat for Humanity Receives $60K Grant from Wells Fargo To Expand Access to Affordable Homes in San Diego County
San Diego, CA — The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $60,000 in funding to San Diego Habitat for Humanity to build and repair four homes in Escondido. This grant is part of a $6.375 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program, which aims to help support more than 290 families in communities nationwide. San Diego Habitat for Humanity is one of 179 local Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding to increase access to affordable homes across the U.S.
The grant has already facilitated the construction of three homes in the recently completed El Norte community, which features 10 duplex-style townhomes with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, attached 2-car garages, private yards, and shared community open spaces. Designed with sustainability in mind, the homes include solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy-efficient appliances. Families moved into their new homes in June, with a celebratory home dedication scheduled for August. The grant will also fund future repair and renovation efforts for a home in the historic Elm Street neighborhood of Escondido, which was completed back in November 2015.
In California, at least one in five households spend over half of their income on housing, and the number of San Diego families struggling to afford rent continues to rise. The Wells Fargo grant will significantly bolster San Diego Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable housing solutions, enabling more families to achieve stability and independence through homeownership.
Kwofi Reed, President + CEO of San Diego Habitat for Humanity, expressed his gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are deeply thankful to the Wells Fargo Foundation for their unwavering support. Wells Fargo has been a true partner in our mission, with their team members dedicating countless hours volunteering on our build sites. This generous investment is a testament to Wells Fargo’s commitment to making a tangible difference in our community. By building and repairing homes, we are not just providing shelter; we are nurturing hope and creating lasting opportunities for families to thrive.”
About San Diego Habitat for Humanity
People in our community partner with San Diego Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Habitat for Humanity exists through volunteer labor and contributions of money, land, and materials, including purchases and donations to the ReStore, Habitat’s discount home improvement retail center. For more information, visit www.sandiegohabitat.org or call 619-283-HOME (4663).
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