Flint River Habitat for Humanity & Phoebe holds dream home groundbreaking

ALBANY, Ga. – For one family, Wednesday is a big step forward for them as the Flint River Habitat for Humanity and the Phoebe Health System broke ground on the site of their new home.

Meet Danielle Malcolm, she and her family moved to Albany in 2018, and after years of difficulties, she and her family will have a house to call their own in the near future.

“I moved to Albany maybe five years ago, and my family came here not knowing which way to go, and we’ve come a long way. And, we’re blessed. We put in the hard work to get the home built,” said Danielle Malcom, Flint River Habitat for Humanity, recipient.

The house is the result of a year of planning between the Flint River Habitat for Humanity and the Phoebe Health System to help revitalize areas around the hospital.

We caught up with the President of the Flint River chapter of Habitat for Humanity about the project and starting to see that year of planning paying off.

“It’s a huge deal. The struggle for years has been being able to find actual land that’s affordable for us to do our mission. We have the funds for the housing, but to be able to get donated land really makes it possible and affordable for the homeowner…” said Bradley Abell, President, Flint River Habitat for Humanity.

They won’t be done with this one house though, as Habitat for Humanity is planning to build more around the area as part of revitalizing the area.

“Oh, it’s wonderful to have such an organization that’s such a huge part and a huge employer of our community to be involved and take stake, and it’s a big deal for Habitat,” said Abell.

And, Danielle has some advice for those who are struggling with being able to find a stable home in the moment.

“My message would be to never stop. When you don’t see it, god always has a plan for us and just let him work. So, keep going, keep pushing, motivate others, motivate yourself, and just keep going; going forward…” said Malcom.

To the Phoebe Health System, it’s a small project on a couple of lots they own, but to Danielle and her family, it’s a new beginning for all of them.

Flint River Habitat for Humanity has plans for another five homes to be built near the main Phoebe campus over the next two years.

Brian Roche reporting.

Copyright 2023 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.