Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County, in service since 1993, celebrated a major milestone last summer with the construction of its 250th affordable home. As the nation grapples with a deepening affordable housing crisis, marked by rising housing costs outpacing wages, Habitat’s community-driven model has proven effective in meeting critical housing needs. Now, looking beyond its established service area, Habitat Citrus is pursuing expansion into Levy County and the broader Big Bend region, areas facing shortages of both affordable homeownership and rental options.
The affordable housing crisis affects communities across the country, with low-income renters, middle-income families, seniors, people with disabilities and communities of color disproportionately impacted. In Levy County, limited rental housing, a lack of affordable homeownership opportunities and municipal infrastructure constraints have combined to hinder housing development. These challenges make clear the urgent need for innovative, community-based solutions.