On Tuesday, February 24th at noon Manatee Habitat breaks ground on the first Habitat home being built for a local veteran. The ceremony will take place at 2004 7th Ave W, Palmetto, the site of the future home for Juan Garcia and his family. Construction begins immediately on the 4 bedroom home and is expected to be completed in October 2015.
Sgt. Garcia and his family have qualified for Manatee Habitat’s homebuyer program making them eligible for a no-interest mortgage from Habitat to purchase the home upon its completion. Juan is the first Veteran to have qualified for the Manatee Habitat’s homebuyer program designed to help low-income working families create a strong and secure future for their children and themselves. Through the Manatee Habitat homebuyer program, families who would not otherwise qualify for conventional mortgages have the opportunity to build and purchase their first home.
Sergeant Garcia served in the Army as Armor Unit for 10 1/2 years and was stationed in Kuwait, South Korea and Germany and was also deployed to Iraq for 13 months. In addition to working full time, Juan recently completed his AS degree from State College of Florida and is working on completing his AA degree. He plans to continue his education at USF and earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology.
Veteran groups, local corporations and Habitat supporters have pledged both financial and volunteer support for the build project. To date, more than $40,000 has been raised for the construction of the home. Additional donations for the Veteran Build can be made to Manatee Habitat at 4105 Cortez Road W., Bradenton or through the website here.