Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County rebrands as Habitat for Humanity of the Nature Coast, expands Geographic Service Area
CRYSTAL RIVER, Florida – Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County has received approval from Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to expand its geographic service area (GSA) to include Levy County. In light of this significant growth, the organization will now be known as Habitat for Humanity of the Nature Coast.
This expansion marks a pivotal moment for the organization, allowing it to extend its mission of building homes, communities, and hope to families in need across a broader region. The new service area will enable the organization to help more families and build simultaneously in both Citrus and Levy counties.
“This is a tremendous opportunity and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters,” said Justin Leech, President/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Nature Coast. “The expansion into Levy County will allow us to double our impact and serve a new community with the same commitment to affordable housing and partnership. Our new name, Habitat for Humanity of the Nature Coast, better reflects our expanded footprint and our mission to build a stronger, more connected region.”
Christine Erick, Chief Administration Officer, emphasized the organization’s readiness for this new chapter. “Expanding our operations is a strategic move that aligns with our long-term vision,” said Erick. “We have the infrastructure and the passion to take on this challenge, and we are excited to work with new community partners in Levy County to bring the dream of homeownership to more families. The ability to build simultaneously in both counties will significantly increase our capacity to address the critical need for affordable housing in the Nature Coast.”
Jess Ebert, Family Services Director, highlighted the direct impact on future homeowners. “Our mission is centered on empowering families, and this expansion into Levy County means we can bring our comprehensive family services to a new area,” said Ebert. “We look forward to partnering with more families and walking alongside them on their journey to stable, affordable homeownership. The need is great, and this expansion allows us to meet that need more effectively.”
Wendy Malik, Vice President of ReStore Operations, explained the role of the organization’s retail locations in driving the mission. “The success of our ReStore operations is a direct driver of our mission, and with this expansion, we anticipate an even greater impact,” said Malik. “We are excited to explore new opportunities for community engagement and partnerships in Levy County, which will, in turn, provide the vital funding needed to build more homes and serve more families in the Nature Coast.”
Brooke Smith, Grants-Legislative Liaison for Levy County, underscored the importance of this partnership for her community.
“Levy County continues to face a critical need for affordable housing, especially for the working families who form the backbone of our community,” Smith said. “By partnering with organizations of proven success, such as Habitat for Humanity, whose efforts in Citrus County have transformed lives, we now have an exciting opportunity to expand workforce housing here at home. This investment will not only provide safe, stable housing, but also strengthen our local economy and ensure that families can live and thrive where they work.”
Smith added that access to affordable housing is a basic human right that requires both community investment and opportunity.
“Levy County has made economic development a priority …while also restructuring the Housing Department to better serve more families in need,” she said. “It is an exciting time for our county, and we are grateful that Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County looked north for expansion.”
Habitat for Humanity of the Nature Coast is a non-profit organization that partners with people in the local community to help them build a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families.
For more information, call 352-563-2744 or visit www.habitatcc.org.
