MEMPHIS, TN - Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has worked to make housing affordable and accessible for Shelby and Fayette County families. Now in its 40th year, the organization is set to build its 600th house. Memphis Habitat's fall build season, located in Castalia Heights, includes the construction of 12 new houses. With the support of onsite volunteers, donors and sponsors, the organization is continuing its success of serving hundreds through education, homebuilding and zero-interest mortgages. The first volunteer build day includes a kick-off celebration on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the build site with key donors, board members and staff scheduled to attend.

“Memphis is facing a housing crisis with rising interest rates, a short supply of affordable starter homes, and the rising cost of rent,” said Dwayne Spencer, Memphis Habitat president and CEO. “Many local families are unable to qualify for traditional mortgages, can’t afford their current housing and need an urgent solution. Memphis Habitat is a resource to help fill that need.”

As part of the 40th anniversary, Memphis Habitat set an ambitious recruitment goal of 4,000 volunteers for its 2023-24 fiscal year to work at the build site and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Sign-ups are now available for individuals, groups and corporate teams. Habitat also continues to seek funding to support the project.

“Volunteers are the backbone of Memphis Habitat’s ongoing success, and we would not have reached this milestone without them and our longstanding donors,” Spencer said. “Our volunteers’ and donors’ dedication and support help ensure we can deliver mortgages with no interest, which helps create long-term affordability for Habitat’s first-time homebuyers. Every volunteer and donor makes a difference, and we want everyone who cares about affordable housing to be a part of this big 40^th anniversary build!”

Memphis Habitat’s 40^th anniversary falls during a pivotal time for housing in Memphis. As interest rates fluctuate, housing prices rise and the available housing inventory falls further into disrepair, there is an active need for investment in starter home development. In its largest single-site build since 2019, Memphis Habitat’s concerted effort in Castalia Heights will work to increase the percentage of homeowners in that area, which has 58% renter occupancy, at the same time generating new property taxes. By leveraging Memphis Habitat’s no-interest mortgage financing, families will be able to affordably become homebuyers and invest in the social and economic well-being of the surrounding neighborhood.

"We look forward to continuing our work in Castalia Heights, where we have great partners like the Magnolia-Castalia Community Association that have kept us involved in community development work and resident connection these past few years,” Spencer said. “In our return to the neighborhood, we are demonstrating Habitat’s commitment to alleviating housing hardships – investing in the development of contiguous, new homes that families will purchase and own for generations to come."

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis partners with people in our community to help them build or improve places they can call home through new home construction, rehabilitation projects and Aging In Place accessibility and mobility modifications for homeowners age 60 and older. Since 1983, Memphis Habitat has helped nearly 600 homebuyers secure affordable mortgages and completed rehabilitation and home modification projects in partnership with more than 1,100 local homeowners, helping them achieve the independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. For more information, visit www.memphishabitat.com.