Habijax and Jacksonville Jaguars building dreams together

JACKSONVILLE, Fla - On Friday morning volunteers from Everbank and Habijax came out to the Eastside of Jacksonville to help put the finishing touches on a new home.  After the completition of the house, it will be turned over to one of Habijax's qualifying families offering them a secure place to stay.  According to the Operations Director, Angie Leatherbury, "It's a couple and they have about three children, they've been in our program for about a year or so and they are going to be closing on their house at the end of August so we are very excited about that."

 What is special about this home is part of it was built by the rookies of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Angie says, "They were actually very excited when the players came to our warehouse to help build the panels the husband was actually out there and he helped them and he was able to associate with the players."  A bonus for a family who finally qualified for the home after a year of waiting.

 Habijax is a local non-profit that helps low-income families become homeowners.  In fact to qualify, participants must have a certain credit score, a stable monthly income and complete 300 hours of sweat equity or manual labor of either building their own home or someone else's.  If those wanting help do not meet the criteria, Habijax has developed free programs that will help individuals get their credit score to where it needs to be in order to qualify at a later date.

 The non-profit also accepts donations like appliances, cabinets, doors, windows, etc.  They are always seeking out volunteers to help make their program a success.