Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys unveiled the completed Gardenia development project in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of July 23, closing a nearly four-year-old project and opening doors to eight families of new and future homeowners.
The completion ceremony included speeches and statements of gratitude from Scott Goss, Habitat’s new executive director, as well as a signing of final housing documents for two families of new homeowners, who put in sweat equity hours to assist with completion of the project.
The affordable housing complex, located at 292 Gardenia St. on Plantation Key in Islamorada, consists of eight three-bedroom, two-bathroom units, and was first announced in 2021 following an RFQ process with the Village of Islamorada.
“We were inspired by the mission of Habitat: to put God’s love into action,” Goss said. The village assisted Habitat in finding and providing available land for development.
Goss also thanked donors, including the work of CBT Construction in assisting with the Gardenia project. Volunteers were critical to the project, and partners such as the Fernandez and Nailer families worked together, bonding while contributing sweat equity, to help finish the developments that they would soon call home.
The Nailer and Fernandez families committed to work on the project following Habitat’s public informational sessions, which were hosted by local libraries. Neither had previous involvement with Habitat for Humanity.
With the Nailer family, Habitat will provide housing for an Ocean Studies Charter School teacher and her husband, a store manager, while with the Fernandez family, they will provide a home to a multigenerational household consisting of a mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Finishing steps of the project included the completion of construction, final inspections and the acquisition of occupancy certificates from the village. The costs of construction presented a significant hurdle throughout the development of the project.
The ribbon-cutting took place on a stormy morning.
“I think today’s weather really reminds us of the importance and the need for shelter,” said Goss. Later, outlining Habitat’s mission, Goss said, “Our vision is for a world where everyone has a place to live.”
Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, a volunteer-based housing organization serving Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada, seeks to provide affordable housing to those in need, and offers weekly volunteer opportunities on Saturdays throughout the summer.
