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|  | | Dear Friends,
Habitat DC-NOVA began the calendar year 2025 with the achievement of a long-awaited goal. We closed eight homes in the Skyland neighborhood in Ward 8 in DC– all in one day! It was truly a team effort as each department in the organization came together to make it happen.
All the families have 0% interest rate mortgages, originated by our affiliate; and the homes join the more than 30 homes that we built 20 years ago in the Skyland neighborhood. Each family is excited about what their future holds as they settle into their new homes and neighborhood. A number of them have children of similar ages who will get to grow up with each other.
The day after closing, one of the families texted our VP of Housing Programs to ask if it was true that their dream of homeownership had been realized. We wrote back to say it was indeed real!
And this year holds so much more ahead! We are currently working on three projects (read more below) and have 27 homes in the pipeline. Despite high interest rates, we have secured nearly $2Million in grants and over $5Million in loans to start long-awaited 17-home project in Deanwood, DC, which will be built to Passive House standards – one of the highest designations for building sustainability. We are also working hard on financing for our 10 Glebe View Townhomes which will be our first build in the City of Fairfax and is a unique partnership converting Fairfax Presbyterian Church’s parking lot into housing with nonprofits Homestretch and HomeAid!
As always, we want to thank our generous donors: our many corporate, foundation, and nonprofit partners, countless volunteers, and the ever-growing community of individual donors who make our work possible. It is with your support, along with our tireless staff and Board, that make home a reality for local families.
In service, Susanne |
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We kicked off 2025 by celebrating eight families becoming Habitat homeowners! It was a joyful day as they closed on their homes, marking the final step in their journey towards homeownership. These homes hold special meaning for us, as these families will become neighbors with 34 of our earliest Habitat homeowners.
We are deeply grateful to the supporters and volunteers who joined us in partnering with these families to help build a strong foundation for their future.
Join us on October 8th at 11 AM as we dedicate the Skyland homes and officially welcome the new homeowners. Home dedications are among our most cherished events, bringing together volunteers, supporters, and the community to celebrate the power of coming together and to support these families as they begin this exciting new chapter.
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We’re launching a brand-new ReStore newsletter to keep you in the loop on fun finds, upcoming events, and more! Whether you’re a bargain hunter, a DIY enthusiast, or are looking for another way to support our work, the newsletter is a great way to keep connected.
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| | | | Earlier this year, winter weather caused some delays on our construction sites, but our dedicated team and volunteers are pushing forward to keep progress steady on our three active projects.
Meanwhile, our Home Repair program continues to make an impact, completing essential repairs for seniors and individuals with disabilities in our communities.
Like so many of you, we’re looking forward to sunnier days ahead and even more progress on site! |
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| | | Our Frye Road property is a single family, one story home in Fairfax County. It is located off of the Route One Corridor in the Woodlawn neighborhood. The home has recently been renovated, including new stainless steel appliances, new washer and dryer, renovated bathroom, three parking spots, and a spacious backyard patio. |
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| | | | Dan Hines, Director of Construction – Washington, DC, has devoted 14 years to Habitat DC-NOVA. His journey with Habitat for Humanity began by serving two years with AmeriCorps at Habitat affiliates in South Carolina and California, where he found inspiration in its mission.
When an opportunity arose at Habitat DC-NOVA, he eagerly applied, citing the organization’s commitment to energy efficiency and resilience in home construction as a major passion. Reflecting on his experience, Hines cherishes the friendships within Habitat’s construction team, describing them as some of his closest friends. “Working side by side daily with people you believe in,” he emphasizes, “is incredibly rewarding.” |
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| Hines‘ daily routine defies predictability, with about half his time spent on-site leading and teaching the construction team, and the remainder dedicated to planning future projects and managing contracts with subcontractors. He humorously characterizes his tasks as “putting out fires and planning to avoid them the next day.” He spearheads plans for projects such as the construction of the 55th Street Townhomes, 17 passive homes, which will work to increase the environmental sustainability of the homes and the community they are in. |
| | Last month, Habitat Young Professionals and staff members joined nearly 500 advocates for housing, including other Habitat affiliate staff, volunteers, board members, and homeowners for Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. They attended learning and advocacy sessions to collaborate on pushing forth key legislative changes for affordable housing in Congress. This event offers organizations like Habitat DC-NOVA the opportunity to inform actionable change in the policy sector by prioritizing affordable housing for all at the local, state, and federal levels.
This year’s theme was “Voices in Action, Building Toward our Vision”. To contribute your voice, you can visit here and send a message to members of Congress.
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| | | The Georgetown University Nomadic Theater Group is a fantastic, inclusive theater club that has shown incredible creativity in supporting our affiliate.
This year, they’ve raised $5,000 through Miscast performance ticket sales, donations, and a donation day with Chipotle, where a portion of student profits was directed to support our cause. Beyond their fundraising efforts, they have also volunteered twice on our build sites, offering hands-on support.
We are truly thankful for their dedication and generosity in supporting our work and the families we serve. |
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| | | If you’re looking for a great way to show your support Habitat DC-NOVA, check out our merch store where you can find t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, and more!
P.S. If there is anything we don’t have in our store but you’d like to see, let us know! |
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