Benefiting From MLK's Fight For Fair Housing, Families Achieve Dream

CLEARWATER, FL — Among the equal rights that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for was fair housing laws.

Through his legacy of activism and advocacy, King improved housing conditions for countless families and led the way to families achieving the American dream of homeownership.

Motivated by his actions, housing advocates picked up the mantle, working to protect people against discriminatory practices based on sex or marital status, age, religion and disabilities.

It's due to the efforts of King and his followers that families are now living in homes that would have been out of their reach 50 years ago.

To celebrate those hard-fought changes, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties thought it only appropriate that they present the keys to new homes to two families on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Habitat reflected on the historic contributions of Dr. King, who helped to pave the way for fair housing laws that continue to protect millions of Americans today," said Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

"He was a civil rights icon who fought for equal rights, including fair housing laws. Spurred by the Civil Rights Movement and standing on the shoulders of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., housing advocates have sought to expand protections from various discriminatory practices," Sutton said. "Due to Dr. King’s and others' tireless efforts, a new era of housing laws has helped countless families improve their housing conditions as well as participate in the American dream of homeownership."

Habitat for Humanity partnered with the NAACP St. Pete to celebrate the most recent benefactors of that fight for fair housing on MLK Day — the Henderson and Allen families.

“The St. Petersburg branch NAACP is proud to stand with the Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties as they dedicate two homes to two well-deserving families," said NAACP St. Petersburg CEO Esther Matthews.

“It is always a great day when a family can turn the key on their new home," Matthews said. "It’s no secret that Habitat for Humanity has made substantial impacts in combatting the affordable housing crisis in Pinellas and Pasco County."

When the NAACP aligns itself with a community partner, Matthews said it chooses partners that meet one of the NAACP areas of focus. In this case, Habitat for Humanity helped to satisfy the NAACP's focus on economic sustainability. Families aren't simply handed the keys to a home. They play a crucial role in its construction.

Habitat homeowner candidates complete the required 32 homebuyer education classes as well as 350-plus required sweat equity hours. Then they purchase their homes with a zero percent interest loan through Habitat, keeping their mortgage affordable.

"I look forward to many more opportunities to stand with Mike and his team as he pushes forward toward the goal of all families achieving the American Dream of Homeownership," Matthews said.

Like many families, Niesha Henderson, a medical support assistant at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs and a single mother to her 4-year-old son, Jacion, said she desperately wanted her son to grow up in a real home but was struggling to find a house that was affordable in today's lean housing market.

"He's a ball of energy," said Henderson of "Jace." "He loves Spiderman and going outside and running around."

Being accepted into the Habitat program was a dream come true because Henderson knew a home would give Jace the room to run and play in a safe environment.

As soon as she was told she'd been accepted, "I cried like a baby,” she said. “There were so many emotions hitting me at once: joy, happiness, and most of all, relief.”

In addition to receiving a new home at 1108 Tangerine St., Clearwater, the Hendersons were presented with items for their new home from sponsors Pinellas Community Partnerships, including a new bicycle for Jace to expend some of that energy.

Like Henderson, Terrina Allen, a certified medical professional at Professional Healthcare, said she also dream of owning her own home.

“Homeownership was very important to me," said the mother of 19-year-old Amondrai. However, she lacked confidence about her ability to achieve homeownership.

"I was not taught about savings, homeownership or reliability from my family," Allen said. "But I was determined to defy the odds because I know what it’s like to sleep in a shelter and guard your child and belongings."

The staff at Habitat for Humanity helped her understand the process and guided her through the steps toward homeownership and Habitat donors Michael and Carolina Holtz provided some necessities.

"Now I'm the second person in my family to own a home," she said, jingling the keys to her new home at 3639 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. "This experience has taught me to never give up and to keep my eyes on the prize and create a foundation for me and my son.”

The Allens and Hendersons are among more than 790 families that have participated in the Habitat for Humanity Pinellas and Pasco County program since 1985.