Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground at ‘Bell Haven’ in Marathon with Monroe County Land Authority

Photo Credit: LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

MARATHON, FL – Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron joined Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Christine Hurley and Senior Property Acquisition Specialist Mark Rosch on Thursday at the Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys groundbreaking at Bell Haven in Marathon. The Board of County Commissioners, Land Authority, and the City of Marathon partnered with Habitat for the project. Also in attendance was Senator Anna Maria Rodriguez.

“Projects like these help our community thrive and assure our working families have good quality housing,” said Hurley. “This is a model financial partnership between the City of Marathon, the Land Authority, and Habitat as the nonprofit developer that promotes long-term affordability for future generations.”

Bell Haven, named in honor of the late Jill Bell, who was a longtime community volunteer and Habitat for Humanity staff member, will be made up of four duplexes with nine units. There will be six 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes, two 2 bedroom, 2 bath homes, and one condo unit with 2 beds and 2 baths on site. The tentative completion of the project is late summer 2023.

“This will be a place to call home for several community members once completed,” Habitat Director Chris Todd Young said. “Hard-working Monroe County residents employed in the Middle Keys will own these homes with a zero percent interest loan.”

Habitat for Humanity plans to open the application period for these homes in early 2023. Applicants can earn up to 80 percent of the Area’s Median Income to qualify (these numbers change annually), must demonstrate need, and have the ability to complete the required “sweat equity.” Habitat Middle Keys is an Equal Housing Opportunity for all persons. Information on Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys can be found at www.habitatmiddlekeys.org.