Atlanta Habitat for Humanity is currently raising funds for its 2025 Inaugural Pride Build.
Habitat for Humanity’s affiliate-run Pride Build campaign brings together local members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and homeowners to work together on a build site while also shedding light on the decades of systemic discrimination keeping LGBTQ+ people and families from homeownership.
“The point of the Pride Build is really to allow members of the queer community and our allies to come together to build two houses,” Zach Nikonovich-Kahn, the Senior Sponsorship Manager at Atlanta Habitat, told Georgia Voice. “What’s so special about Habitat is you get to know the other volunteers and the homeowners so well that you really build this sense of community.”
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has been creating a pathway for generational wealth for hard-working families for more than 41 years. The homeownership process begins with an application and culminates with a 30-year, interest-free mortgage for individuals and families who meet specific criteria. Accepted families will be required to invest 250 hours of sweat equity and attend the 17 classes.
According to Candice Jordan, the Chief Development Officer at Atlanta Habitat, the organization receives about 5,000 applications a month.
“It speaks volumes about the work that we’re doing and the demand for our work,” she said.
Atlanta’s first Pride Build campaign kicked off in September 2024 with a party at Woofs, where one-third of the funds needed were raised. The organization has currently raised over $130,000 of its $200,000 goal.
Fundraising efforts to raise the remaining $65,000 of the organization’s $200,000 goal will continue tonight, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. with a party at the Atlanta Eagle.
“One thing that Rosalyn [Merrick], our CEO, says all the time is that we want to ensure access to quality, affordable housing for everyone,” Nikonovich-Kahn said. “And she really means everyone. We mean straight people, gay people, bi people, trans people. We want everyone to have a chance to be part of revitalizing communities in Atlanta.”
Anyone who donates $100 or more can secure their volunteer spot for one of the following eight build days to help build two homes and support a more inclusive Atlanta: April 16 and 26; May 10, 17, and 31; and June 7, 14, and 21.
To learn more, visit atlantahabitat.org.