Local Habitat for Humanity Project Set to Break Ground

Groundbreaking on a long-awaited San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat) housing project will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12. 

Built in partnership with the city, the Howard-Navarro Project is located on a single lot where two attached single-family homes will be built. 

“Mortgage costs for these and other homes provided through the SGV Habitat homeownership program usually do not exceed 30% of the homebuyer’s income, allowing families to thrive and create generational wealth that would not be possible with the skyrocketing cost of housing in the state of California,” according to a statement released on Thursday. 

“In fact, according to the United States Census Bureau, homeowners have 100 times more wealth than that of the average renter,” the statement said.

Mayor Victor Gordo and Councilmember Tyron Hampton are expected to attend the groundbreaking, according to Habitat for Humanity. Guests are limited to allow for social distancing. 

The city acquired the property in 2008 as an affordable housing development site.

In response to community desires, the city entered into a license agreement with the Harambee Christian Family Center in April 2011 to utilize and maintain the property as a community garden. 

The Harambee Center planned to raise funds with the expectation of acquiring the property from the city, but after the group was unsuccessful, the license agreement was terminated and the city took back possession of the property in 2017.

After a request for proposals the city entered into a contract with SGV Habitat. 

Since its incorporation in 1990, SGV Habitat has developed 14 homeownership projects in the San Gabriel Valley region totaling 77 affordable units. To date, no homeowner in any project built by SGV Habitat has ever had a mortgage default or resold their home.  

The City Council approved the business terms on Oct. 7, 2019.