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startling 86% of our community cannot afford the basic 

necessities to live in Walton County. There is currently a 

crisis for affordable housing for the local workforce, which 

requires many folks to commute from other counties 

where they reside.  As one of the fastest growing counties in the state 

and with no slowdown in sight, Walton County is fortunate to have 

such an impassioned charitable community of people. There are over 

90 registered nonprofi ts in Walton County that assist in making the 

county more livable for everyone and helping to keep many of the 

workers local. Of these nonprofi ts, Habitat for Humanity of Walton 

County is known for doing more directly to provide homes in the 

area.  

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofi t organization that helps 

families build and improve places to call home. They build strength, 

stability, and self-reliance through shelter. A common misbelief is 

that Habitat provides handouts or free housing. On the contrary, 

their benefi ciaries lend a helping hand in the building process and 

they actually pay for their homes. Future Habitat homeowners are 

qualifi ed based on their level of need, willingness to partner with 

Habitat, and their ability to pay back a no profi t loan. Habitat’s model 

of having those in need of housing work side by side with volunteers 

to build simple, decent homes substantially lowers the cost as well as 

facilitates pride in homeownership. Each home is built and sold to 

clients using zero interest loans tied to their fi nancial circumstances. 

The homeowners also pay property taxes and hazard insurance 

just as any traditional home loan would require. The mortgage 

payments go directly to help build more homes for deserving 

families in our community. Habitat stimulates growth by revitalizing 

neighborhoods; one house at a time, as well as creating jobs and a 

property tax base for individuals that would have not otherwise been 

able to do it on their own.

Habitat for Humanity of Walton County very proudly completed 

their 50th Habitat home last June, with four currently under 

construction. Habitat of Walton has also recently broken ground at 

Hope Village, the very fi rst Habitat neighborhood locally that will 

consist of thirteen homes. Teresa Imdieke, the executive director of 

Habitat for Humanity of Walton County noted that this had been 

a dream of hers for eight years.  Teresa’s excitement and passion 

for her job are apparent, as she has become ‘family’ with the many 

homeowners that she has had the pleasure of assisting over the years.  

The great challenge that she is leading is allowing many families to 

establish roots and change the lives for their subsequent generation.

story by

Greg Alexander

  |  

photos provided by

Walton County Habitat for Humanity

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2/26/19   10:32 PM