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City of Sanford, Habitat for Humanity to host free Financial Academy; Habitat outlines 19-home Legacy Square development
Summary
Habitat for Humanity Seminole Apopka and the City of Sanford will offer a free Financial Academy (in-person sessions on the 18th and 25th, 8 a.m.–11 a.m., at the Dr. Velma H. Williams Community Center) to teach budgeting, credit and identity protection; Habitat also described a 19-home Legacy Square project in Sanford and said applications are open for income-qualified buyers.
The City of Sanford and Habitat for Humanity Seminole Apopka are partnering to offer a free Financial Academy to Sanford residents, Kelly Pichata, chief operating officer of Habitat for Humanity Seminole Apopka, said on the city's "Sanford Says" podcast. The in-person sessions are scheduled for "the 18th and the 25th," 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Dr. Velma H. Williams Community Center; Fairwinds Credit Union will lead instruction and breakfast will be provided.
"We do what we call our financial academy," Pichata said. "We talk about budgeting. We talk about savings. We talk about understanding credit...and protecting your identity." She added, "Knowledge is power," and encouraged residents to register online at habitatseminalapopka.org.
Why it matters: the program is designed to help households improve credit, manage debt and prepare for homeownership. Nikki Osborne, director of community relations and neighborhood engagement for the City of Sanford, said the city is partnering to expand access to the class to both residents and city employees, and Habitat confirmed the course is available to anyone whether or not they later apply for Habitat's homebuyer program.
What the class covers and how to join - Format and timing: two in-person sessions (three hours each) taught by outside experts; Habitat also offers virtual sessions every six to eight weeks for those who cannot attend in person. - Topics: budgeting, savings, credit and debt management, identity protection/cybersecurity and homebuying basics. - Cost and registration: the academy is free; participants should register through Habitat for Humanity Seminole Apopka's website (habitatseminalapopka.org) via the resources/registration link or the QR code on the on-site sign, organizers said.
Habitat's local housing work and Legacy Square Pichata also described Habitat's ongoing local housing work, including a 19-unit single-family development called Legacy Square off 25th Street and Sarita in Sanford. "We are a homeownership organization," she said, adding that Habitat develops infrastructure, builds homes and provides homebuyer education and counseling. Pichata said Habitat is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency and has certified counselors available to help with eviction prevention, budgeting and debt consolidation.
Applications and buyer requirements Habitat said applications for future homebuyers are open. Habitat vets applicants, requires sweat-equity contributions and asks buyers to contribute toward closing costs; Habitat serves households roughly at 60'80 percent of area median income (AMI), with limits based on household size. Pichata mentioned an approximate example figure of about $48,000 for a one-person household but directed listeners to Habitat's website for official income limits and cautioned that the figure was an off-the-cuff estimate.
Funding, partnerships and house types Pichata described a diversified funding approach combining private donations, corporate support, Seminole County funds and foundations. She cited a commitment from Wharton Smith of more than $1,000,000 toward the Legacy Square project and said the city and Habitat are exploring use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for down-payment assistance. Most Habitat houses use a small set of standard floor plans (about five); the majority are three-bedroom, two-bath homes with single-car garages, while Legacy Square will include some two-bedroom, two-bath units.
Contact and next steps Organizers encourage Sanford residents to register online at habitatseminalapopka.org; the sign at the Legacy Square site includes a QR code that links to the project page and contact information. Pichata said two Habitat closings for Sanford residents are scheduled the next morning, and she reiterated that Habitat staff are available for questions by email and through the website.
The program and the Legacy Square project are ongoing; the immediate next public step is the two-session Financial Academy on the 18th and the 25th and continued outreach for homebuyer applications.
