You Won't Believe What Happened When Habitat for Humanity Completed Their 16th Home—This Will Change Lives!

In a heartwarming development just in time for the holiday season, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth (HFHGP) has completed the construction of a new affordable home on Strand Avenue in the Manomet section of Plymouth, Massachusetts. This milestone marks HFHGP's 16th home since the organization’s founding. The new home was dedicated on December 6, shortly before a family of four moved in, just days before Christmas.

The construction project, which took only six months to complete, is notable for being the fastest build in HFHGP's history. The dedication ceremony attracted town officials, volunteers, neighbors, and community members, all of whom gathered to celebrate this significant achievement. Amy Belmore, executive director of HFHGP, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support that made this project possible, stating, “This home came together because of an incredible level of community support.”

The home was built in partnership with the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority, which provided the land after it was transferred from the Town of Plymouth. Financial backing was also provided by the Plymouth Affordable Housing Trust, alongside funds from the Community Preservation Act, which were approved through the Community Preservation Committee and Town Meeting. This collaboration highlights a communal effort to address the pressing issue of affordable housing in the region.

Importantly, the Strand Avenue home represents the seventh and final collaboration between HFHGP and the Pinehills Affordable Housing Charitable Trust. Over their 15-year partnership, the Trust has contributed more than $700,000 toward supporting HFHGP’s affordable housing initiatives, underlining the long-standing commitment to enhancing community welfare.

The homeowners, who include two young children, previously faced challenges due to rising housing costs in the area. They joined forces with 440 volunteers, comprising individuals, business teams, civic organizations, and church congregations, all contributing over 6,000 hours of labor to complete the home. This remarkable display of community spirit exemplifies the collective effort needed to tackle the housing crisis affecting many families in Massachusetts.

During the dedication ceremony, Belmore expressed her appreciation for the various partners involved, saying, “Without their collaboration, this home does not exist. Their commitment to truly affordable housing—combined with the extraordinary volunteer support from our community—created a life-changing opportunity for a Plymouth family that will have an impact across generations.”

This new home is part of HFHGP’s broader commitment to expand affordable housing options in the region. In the past two years alone, HFHGP has completed three homes, and construction is already underway on the next project: a full rehabilitation of an abandoned house on Green Street in Carver. The prospective homeowner for this project is a single mother and U.S. Navy veteran raising her family in Plymouth, further emphasizing HFHGP's dedication to supporting those who have served the country.

As HFHGP continues its search for additional sites across its six-town service area, these initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the need for affordable housing solutions. With rising housing costs becoming a significant barrier for many families, organizations like HFHGP are stepping up to deliver critical support, fostering community ties and providing hope for those seeking stable and affordable living conditions.