On March 31, 2022, Neighborhood Services staff attended the dedication of the newest Habitat for Humanity house in Champaign where the Moore family, Tekeyra, Kenny, and their three sons, were delighted to receive the keys to their new home. Mayor Feinen, who was invited by Habitat for Humanity to give remarks, spoke to the long-standing partnership between the City of Champaign and Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County.
From 2017 to 2020, Habitat has acquired six vacant residential lots from the City through its lot disposition program. The lot the Moore’s home was built on was acquired from the City in 2019. In January of 2022, Habitat acquired three more vacant lots through the newly updated semi-annual bidding cycle. Eventually, three more homes for Habitat families will be constructed on those lots furthering the goal of adding more affordable housing in the City of Champaign.
Many of the vacant lots that become available through the City’s lot disposition program and are purchased by Habitat are acquired through Neighborhood Services Code and Compliance activity. These lots have often been the site of vacant and dilapidated houses. The end result is turning blighted properties into beautiful and affordable single-family, owner-occupied homes. The event was very well attended.
