First family moves in under Habitat’s Advancing Black Homeownership Program

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity has launched a new push to expand Black homeownership. For many families, owning a home has felt out of reach.

It’s called the Advancing Black Homeownership Program. It started last year, and now its first recipient moved in last week.

She already has the keys to her new home, but today Princess Cummings is volunteering, helping make this house a home for another family.

“I just closed on my home on Jan. 9 of this year, so I’m super, super happy,” she said.

Princess is the first person in Manatee County’s Advancing Black Homeownership Program to buy a home.

“My house is about $317,000, but overall with my mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, and property taxes, everything comes out to almost $1,300,” she said.

The goal of the Advancing Black Homeownership Program is to help more Black families achieve homeownership.

For Princess and her three children, that help came at a critical time. She says they could no longer afford their rent and had been homeless since March of last year.

“I lived in a hotel before. I stayed at an extended stay, and I stayed with family before,” she said. “It was very difficult, extremely difficult,” she said.

Now, moving into a three-bedroom home, she says a weight has been lifted.

“All the glory to God. I’m super excited,” she said.

The task force started in 2024 with just 50 applicants. That number grew to 150 the following year. Now, in 2026, officials expect an even bigger increase.

“We are definitely seeing an increase in applicants due to the affordability crisis,” she said.

Kaveecia Moore is the director of homeowner services with Manatee Habitat for Humanity. The goal is to have 15 families in homes by 2031.

“The Advancing Black Homeownership Program is really to address the racial gap in homeownership and to increase involvement in our community,” she said.

Giving Princess and her family a place to call their forever home.

The application period for the Advancing Black Homeownership Program runs from Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Manatee Habitat for Humanity as a whole also saw a 51 percent increase in applicants from 2024 to 2025.