Habitat for Humanity Rushes to Finish 150 Affordable Homes in Naranja

Zero-percent mortgages and sweat equity help local workforce families become homeowners in Miami-Dade

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:33pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a hammer repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the hands-on work of Habitat for Humanity volunteers.Habitat for Humanity's volunteer-driven model empowers local families to build their own affordable homes through sweat equity.Naranja Today

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami is working to complete a new 150-unit townhome community in Naranja, Florida by October. The development, called Habitat Acres, will offer zero-percent mortgages and sweat equity opportunities to help local workforce families become homeowners in an area with a severe affordable housing shortage.

Why it matters

Providing affordable homeownership options is crucial in Miami-Dade, where skyrocketing housing costs have priced many local families out of the market. Habitat's model combines subsidized financing and hands-on volunteer work to create long-term wealth-building opportunities for residents who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home.

The details

Habitat for Humanity and local volunteers are working to complete final interior and exterior work on the 150 townhomes at Habitat Acres. The development will feature three- and four-bedroom units, with move-ins scheduled for October. Habitat is structuring the homes to be affordable through zero-percent mortgages, where the required sweat equity serves as the down payment.

  • Habitat for Humanity volunteers and future homeowners gathered on Saturday to put the finishing touches on the Habitat Acres community.
  • Organizers have circled October as the target move-in month for the new townhomes.
  • Crews are working through the summer to complete final inspections, punch-list fixes, and landscaping work before the October deadline.

The players

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami

A local nonprofit organization that builds and renovates homes to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families in the Miami-Dade area.

Anaili Figueroa

A future homeowner at Habitat Acres who expressed excitement about her two sons planning out their new bedrooms.

Maureen Ruggiero

A representative of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami who explained the zero-percent mortgage and sweat equity model that makes the Habitat Acres homes affordable.

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What they’re saying

“This is part of our DNA.”

— Craig Stevens, 7News anchor

“He's excited to decorate his room.”

— Anaili Figueroa

“Their sweat equity is their down payment.”

— Maureen Ruggiero, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami

What’s next

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami is currently accepting applications for the Habitat Acres community. Interested residents and potential volunteers can learn more about eligibility, sign up to help, or explore sponsorship opportunities through the organization's website.

The takeaway

By combining affordable financing, volunteer labor, and a focus on workforce housing, Habitat for Humanity is creating a path to homeownership for local families who have been priced out of Miami-Dade's competitive real estate market. This model helps build long-term wealth and stability in the Naranja community.