Cape Fear Habitat receives grant from Wells Fargo to expand access to affordable homes

The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $15,000 in funding to Cape Fear Habitat to repair a home in Duplin County. According to a news release, Cape Fear Habitat is one of 179 local Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program to increase access to affordable homes across the U.S.

The grant to Cape Fear Habitat will help repair a home in Duplin County, according to the release. After an initial viewing of the home, the applicant who remains anonymous was accepted into the Critical Home Repair Program.

Once the project started, however, extensive damage was found, leading to the decision to build a small efficiency cottage for the homeowner.

This home includes accessibility features so that the homeowner can continue to live in her home safely as she ages.

When we asked her about her experience in the program, she said, “I like to meet new people and to help others, and I thank you for any and all help you give me.”

“The extensive damage to this home made it nearly unlivable and beyond repair,” said Cape Fear Habitat Development Director Christina Ferris. “This support from Wells Fargo is truly transformational, helping restore this homeowner to safe, livable conditions for the first time in years.”

According to the North Carolina Housing Coalition’s 2024 report, 25% of Duplin County residents are cost-burdened by housing, so that’s one in four. The fair market rent in Duplin County has increased by 33% in the past five years and is projected to rise slightly again in 2025. The North Carolina Regional MLS said that new homeowners in Duplin County are seeing a price increase of 17% since this time last year. The Wells Fargo Grant will support Cape Fear Habitat’s efforts to increase affordable housing in New Hanover, Pender, and Duplin counties, in both the Homeownership and Repair programs.

“We are proud to continue our support of Cape Fear Habitat and their efforts to provide affordable housing in eastern North Carolina,” said Suzie Koonce, Community Impact and Sustainability Specialist at Wells Fargo. “At Wells Fargo, we believe a quality, affordable place to call home is something everyone should have access to. Having a quality and affordable place to live supports economic stability, physical and mental health, and generational wealth.”

This funding is part of a $6.375 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program to help support more than 290 families in communities nationwide.

Habitat for Humanity is preparing its response to Helene and actively finding ways to recover the communities affected by the hurricane. Habitat’s role will primarily be in the long-term recovery of disaster-stricken communities, following the immediate response.

Those who wish to donate to Habitat’s response for Hurricane Helene can do so at habitat.org/hurricanehelene.