110 Regency Employees Help Construct Two HabiJax Homes

Habitat for Humanity Jacksonville — also known as HabiJax — is one of the largest non-profit affordable housing builders in Duval County. It is considered to be one of the most successful Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Regency Centers is proud to sponsor an annual HabiJax home build and provide volunteer resources. This summer, 110 members of Regency's Jacksonville team worked hard to help build two houses, with work including interior painting, exterior siding, landscaping, and final punch.

 

 

On average, HabiJax homes require about three months of work to be built. Our first house — located at 1709 McQuade Street — was completed with 368 hours volunteered by Regency employees, plus 300 'sweat equity' hours put in by the male homebuyer, who volunteered at construction on Saturdays. The Regency team also spent 344 volunteer hours building the second house — located at 269 E. 25th Street — with help from its female homebuyer, who put in her 300 sweat equity hours at construction and HabiJax's retail store, ReStore, with help from family and co-workers.

Regency Centers volunteers pose for group photo in orange shirts at HabiJax


Having provided home ownership opportunities and other housing services to more than 2,300 families, HabiJax is an advocate for affordable housing and fair housing policies. It also provides workshops and other training to help families improve their housing conditions. HabiJax is a multifaceted organization with many roles that Regency Centers stands behind: builder, community developer, mortgage lender, and affordable housing advocate.

 

Completed HabiJax home, built and sponsored by the Regency Centers teams

Headshot of Amy D'OlimpioRegency is proud to partner with HabiJax and realizes much of the work they do would not be possible without volunteer resources," said Amy D’Olimpio, Senior Vice President of Human Resources. "It is gratifying to see the difference HabiJax makes in our communities, and in the lives of the families they have served for more than 30 years!

Volunteers completing landscaping project for HabiJax

Regency Centers volunteers pose for group photo in orange shirts at HabiJax “The Regency Team had inspiring conversations after their long days of volunteer work, always reflecting on the families that they met and were able to assist,” said Heather Bruce, Regency Centers Administrative Assistant. “There was an overwhelming joy in realizing the positive outcome from the volunteers' efforts, which made the experience so meaningful. To see so many Regency employees willing to take a day out of their busy schedules is incredible, and speaks volumes to the amazing team members we have.” 



Learn more about HabiJax here.