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The Houston chapter of Habitat for Humanity has received $11 million from the $436 million donation made by billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to the faith-based nonprofit organization, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets. Officials with the Houston branch said in a statement that Scott's gift is "a transformational donation," Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported.
"Houston Habitat is honored to receive this tremendous gift, which will increase our capacity to serve Houston and further our vision for Harris County," Houston Habitat executive director Allison Hay said in the statement. "Ms. Scott’s donation highlights the need to devote substantial resources toward addressing the affordable housing crisis occurring in Houston and nationwide."
According to Houston Habitat, the greater Houston area is experiencing a critical and increasing shortage of affordable housing.
Rice University's Kinder Institute of Urban Research said in its 2021 State of Housing report that there's a shrinkage in Harris County's affordable housing units, KPRC reported.
Houston Habitat, which was founded in 1987, has helped more than 7,000 Houstonians become homeowners, as well as fixed 800 homes and built 1,150 new homes at present, KPRC reported.
According to the chapter, over 90% of the people it helped are African American and Hispanic, as are the neighborhoods of which it serves.
Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that some of the funds will be used to build more affordable homes in the area.
"We are dedicated to using this gift to serve more Houstonians, build more homes, make more repairs and, ultimately, create a marked change for affordable housing in our city," Hay said in the release.
Houston Habitat is among 83 affiliates in the world and the latest local nonprofit to be gifted a donation from Scott, a novelist whose net worth is nearly $50 billion, the station reported.
The Houston Daily reported that Scott made a $13 million donation last month to Communities in Schools (CIS) Houston.
According to the Houston Chronicle, CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant was initially skeptical about the gift at first until Scott herself contacted her to verify the e-mails and calls Descant had received.
“We are now in a place to imagine even more exciting and impactful ways to empower our students by connecting them with resources and role models which reinforce the deeply-held belief we have for each of them to live out their boldest dreams," Descant said in a statement issued to the media.