West Orange Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1990 at the Oakland Presbyterian Church, Oakland, Florida and is a recognized affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Its primary goal is to build houses for God's people in West Orange County Florida, i.e. Oakland, Ocoee, Winter Garden  and Windermere.

"Habitat offers a true partnership arrangement by which families in the limited income ranges can attain their goal of home ownership.”

“Our philosophy is "a hand up, not a handout," says board president Alberto Herran.  “Habitat offers a true partnership arrangement by which families with limited incomes can attain the goal of home ownership.”

Donations from private individuals, companies, churches, foundations, and civic groups are pooled and used to construct solid, insulated, energy-efficient homes or refurbish existing homes that are sold for the cost of construction.  Donated land, materials and volunteer labor often help keep the house cost down.  West Orange Habitat's basic house is a three bedroom, two bath house.  A small down payment is charged, and monthly house payments are typically based on a 20 year mortgage at 0% interest and include taxes, insurance and a termite bond.  Mortgage payments go back into Habitat’s construction budget to build more homes for more qualified families.  This recycling of funds is what attracts many people to give to Habitat for Humanity. All donations go directly into the construction of homes.

Qualifying for the Habitat program is easier than many people think.  Applicants must demonstrate a need for the Habitat program, have a stable annual household income, and be the head(s) of household.   Approved applicants are required to contribute volunteer hours (sweat equity) working with Habitat prior to purchasing their Habitat home, and must be willing to live in West Orange habitat West Orange county where we build or refurbish homes.  Credit is reviewed and does not have to be perfect, but does matter.  Habitat also looks for at least one year of stable rent and utility payment history, and at least one year of stable work history.

West Orange Habitat has constructed more than 23 homes since 1990 and is set to begin construction of two more homes before the end of 2011.  Our Home At Last special project builds homes for combat-wounded veterans of the United States Armed Forces.  Home At Last has already completed three homes and is set to begin construction on its next home this Fall.

Habitat accepts no government funding for construction, and some of its administrative costs are funded by earned income from our ReStore.

The Habitat ReStore is located at 114 S. Dillard St in Winter Garden.  It is a retail thrift store open to the public which sells clothing, furniture, hardware, building supplies and many other items which are donated to us by individual donors as well as businesses.  The phone number of the ReStore is (407) 905-0406.

If you would like more information about Habitat’s home ownership program, we encourage you to attend one of our monthly orientation meetings whose locations and times will be announced on this website as well as the West Orange Times.  We hope to hear from you soon!