CLARKSVILLE, TN – Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee will celebrate its 5,000th house built in the state of Tennessee with host affiliate Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, TN (MCTN) on Thursday at 11 a.m.

State and local officials as well as volunteers and key partners will come together for a ceremony at the future home of Judith, located at 228 Beech St. in Clarksville. The home, sponsored by local real estate company Byers & Harvey, is currently under construction.

Future Habitat homeowner Judith is a single mother of three young daughters. She has completed nearly 250 hours of sweat equity to be eligible for an affordable mortgager through Habitat.

Representatives from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, both partner organizations of Habitat for Humanity, will also help celebrate this milestone.

Tennessee consists of 50 Habitat affiliates that serve 62 counties. Each Habitat affiliate is a grassroots organization that is locally operated by a board of directors from their community. Every affiliate is financially self-sustaining and all affiliates function under the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity International.

Habitat for Humanity MCTN celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year. Since its inception, the affiliate has built more than 100 homes in partnership with local families living below the poverty line.

“We’re proud to share this milestone with our fellow Tennessee Habitat for Humanity affiliates,” Habitat for Humanity MCTN Executive Director Rob Selkow said. “Each of these 5,000 homes contains a unique family story and it’s a privilege to play a part in them. We also celebrate the volunteer spirit that empowers families through safe, affordable shelter.”

A drawing by Rwensi, daughter of future homeowner Judith.

Future homeowner Judith is a working single mother of three young daughters. She has devoted nearly 250 hours of sweat equity to be eligible for an affordable mortgage through Habitat for Humanity MCTN. She and her family struggled through personal setbacks as well as rising rents over the past several years, and they are ready to take the next step toward homeownership. After being priced out of the market, Habitat for Humanity was Judith’s last option.

“When you have a home, the stability that provides is priceless. I’m glad Habitat is able to offer that to us,” Judith said.