6 Doors Down, 44 to Go: Inside Heart for Winter Haven’s Affordable Housing Commitment

By Tabitha Keith, Director of Programs, Heart for Winter Haven

At Heart for Winter Haven, we believe that every child deserves a stable home. We also know that systemic change starts with small, tangible steps. That is why we made a public commitment to acquire or develop 50 units of affordable housing by 2030 as part of our Zero in ’30 campaign to end childhood homelessness in Winter Haven.

We are excited to share that in the first year of this effort, we have already secured six housing units. That means six doors that now open to stability, dignity, and hope for families in need. And we are just getting started.

Why Housing Matters

Stable housing is the foundation for everything else: school attendance, employment, health, and emotional well-being. For families experiencing homelessness, moving off the waitlist and into a home can be life-changing.

But in Winter Haven, like much of the country, the cost of housing is outpacing wages. Working families, especially those in the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) category, struggle to afford rent even while working full-time. That is why we are taking direct action to create housing inventory that is truly accessible to the families we serve.

Behind Every Door, a Story

Each of the six units we have secured represents not just a property, but a partnership. We have worked with landlords, private donors, city officials, and real estate professionals to identify homes that meet safety standards and affordability thresholds.

One of our earliest placements was a single mother and her two children who had spent more than a year bouncing between relatives’ homes and motels. With support from our team, she moved into a three-bedroom house with stable rent. Her children now have a quiet place to study and a safe place to sleep.

It may look like an ordinary house, but to those kids, it is life-changing.

Building the Pipeline: The Next 44 Units

We are currently identifying additional properties for acquisition, renovation, or lease partnership. Some will come through direct donations of property. Others will be created through local developer partnerships or through housing vouchers with landlords who share our vision.

This work takes time, trust, and community will. That is why we are looking for:
● Landlords open to renting to families with housing vouchers or unique financial histories
● Property owners willing to donate or discount housing units
● City leaders who can help us navigate zoning, permitting, and land use challenges
● Donors and investors who see housing as the foundation for lasting change

A Call to Action

This is a community-sized challenge, and it requires a community-sized response. Six doors may sound small, but to those six families, it is everything. And every future door we open brings us one step closer to a Winter Haven where no child sleeps in a car, a motel, or a shelter.

We invite you to be part of this movement. Whether by offering a property, contributing financially, or simply sharing this vision with someone who can help, you can play a role in opening the next door.