Augusta Habitat for Humanity Secures $1.85M to Build 12 Affordable Homes

Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has received $1,850,000 in FY2026 Congressionally Directed Spending. This will fund 12 homes in the Turpin Hill neighborhood. Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock helped secure the money.

The grant will build housing for working families in one of Augusta's oldest neighborhoods. Bernadette Kelliher leads the local chapter. She doesn't know yet when the money will arrive or when crews can start building.

Kelliher took charge in February 2023. She wanted to increase construction from one house per year to 10. The chapter was set to build seven or eight homes. Then Hurricane Helene hit, and volunteers shifted to repair work.

"Fifty homes a year in five years," said Kelliher to Augusta Good News.

She spent the last three years visiting other chapters around the country, learning what worked and what didn't. Kelliher has also strengthened financial resources through grants, government money, and fundraising events. The third annual Build The Band is planned for June 27 at the Miller Theater.

Reaching 50 homes per year means hiring more people. "We plan to be at a pretty big staff in the next two to three years. We're looking at new office space. A new day is coming," she said.

McKenzie Beech joined in March as Vice President of Mission and Community Impact. He came from John Deere as an operations supervisor. Now he's switched to the non-profit sector.

The group plans to hire four or five more employees soon. Kelliher has built stronger ties with the City of Augusta and the Augusta Land Bank Authority to support growth.