New Organization Will Streamline Efficiencies, Expand Services & Enable More Capacity for Building Affordable Homes
Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County and Monterey County Habitat for Humanity, two non-profit organizations, will merge to form Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. The new entity will be an approved affiliate of Habitat International, which has more than 1,400 affiliates across the nation and is active in building affordable housing in more than 70 developing countries around the world.
Plans for the merger developed over the past year following a Strategic Restructuring workshop sponsored jointly by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and the Community Foundation for Monterey County. A key focus for the new organization will be to continue to work with the community and volunteers to build affordable housing in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Ongoing programs will include current building projects in Santa Cruz and Live Oak, the Santa Cruz ReStore and a soon to open ReStore in Monterey.
“There is a huge need for affordable housing in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Because the two existing organizations share identical missions, the benefits are clear for establishing a single administration that can help address local housing needs,” said David Foster, executive director of the Santa Cruz affiliate who will serve as the executive director of the new organization. “Joining together will allow us to pool resources and expand our services.”
“We’ve proudly served the Monterey Peninsula area for 26 years. I’m excited to see these two organizations join forces to expand capacity to serve families in our area,” said Pat Canada, president of Habitat for Humanity Monterey County, who will continue as a board member with the new entity.
Immediate goals for Habitat For Humanity Monterey Bay include:
- Continue the momentum on current building projects
- Expand service areas and community involvement
- Increase access to funding resources
- Establish new local partnership opportunities
- Initiate a strategic planning process to identify future growth opportunities
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay will continue to operate the Santa Cruz ReStore, a volunteer-driven home improvement store, as well as a new ReStore in Monterey County opening this fall. The ReStore accepts donations of new and gently used building materials, furniture, hardware, tools, and appliances, and then sells those goods at a fraction of the normal retail price.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or by donating to the ReStore, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.
About Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay
Formed in September 2016, Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay (previously two organizations: Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County and Monterey County Habitat for Humanity) is an independent, locally operated and funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. The mission is to build decent, affordable homes and provide home ownership opportunities to qualified families who live and work in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. For more information visit www.habitatmontereybay.org, or call (831) 469-4663.