From left to right: Peytra Fraser-Stone, Zoila Francisco, Barbara Blake-Boy, Daniel Foganholi, Nora Rupert, Peter Licata, Jeff Holness, Debra Hixon all stands proud and determined after a rainy start on site as they commenced the first BCPS Build Day at “A Rick Case Habitat Community” in Pompano Beach.

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (November 10, 2023) – Habitat for Humanity of Broward hosted the first-ever Broward County Public Schools Build Day on Thursday, November 9 at “A Rick Case Habitat Community” in Pompano Beach. After a rainy start on site, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) board members and Superintendent completed the task at hand side by side with future Habitat homeowners to help build homes and awareness of the importance of affordable housing to academic success in the community. The 76-home community when completed will be the largest affordable homeownership community in the county’s history.

“The Broward County School Board recognizes affordable homeownership is key to attracting and retaining great teachers and school staff,” said Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat Broward. “We also agree that stable, affordable homeownership and a great education both provide the most important thing we can give a child – opportunity,” said Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat Broward.

Research proves that children of homeowners’ grades improved by 53 percent and are 25 percent more likely to graduate high school and twice as likely to acquire post-secondary education. Even more, children of homeowners consistently outperform children of renters in math and reading. Additionally, three out of four Habitat children spend more time with friends and classmates when they move into their home.

“I grew up three miles from here. I remember us in our home, and it was what you knew, it was your home. Every family deserves that,” said Broward County Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata.

BCPS officials who participated include Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata, Vice-Chair Debra Hixon along with School Board Members Daniel Foganholi, Torey Alston, Jeff Holness, Nora Rupert and Jessica Palmino.

Additional attendees included the Executive Director of Broward County Planning Council and Habitat Land Committee member Barbara Blake-Boy and Habitat homeowner Peytra Fraser-Stone.