Building homes, strengthening communities

Habitat for Humanity of Collin County powers forward with renewed vision

By Sonia Duggan

Last year, seven Collin County families celebrated the holidays as new homeowners thanks to a program that has been putting “God’s love into action by building homes and communities” since 1992.

Habitat for Humanity of Collin County (HFHCC), a nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles, has helped many families who might not otherwise have owned a home achieve their dream of home ownership, despite rising rent and real estate prices.

Six of those families now own new homes—four townhomes constructed in McKinney’s Cotton Groves community and two single-family homes, one in McKinney and one in Princeton. Another new homeowner now proudly resides in a “recycled” Habitat duplex in Wylie, a perfect fit
for her and her adult son after years of waiting patiently for a home.

With the departure of Celeste Cox, who had dedicated 20 years to the nonprofit, guiding it through growth and challenges alike, new CEO Shonda Shaefer is on a mission to streamline operations, ramp up homebuilding and refocus on the organization’s core mission: putting families in safe, affordable homes.

“Prior to me coming on board, we were averaging about three to four home builds a year,” Shaefer said, explaining how a 2018 merger between Collin County and South Collin County Habitat chapters had stretched resources thin. In just a few months under her leadership, HFHCC completed several home builds and 10-15 critical repairs, including a long-delayed project that had been
under construction for more than five years.

Critical repairs and the Jimmy Carter House

While building new homes remains a priority, HFHCC is also committed to helping aging homeowners stay in their homes through its critical repair program. This initiative addresses safety concerns, from installing handrails and ramps to major structural repairs.

To qualify for assistance, applicants must own and occupy their home as their primary residence, be current on property taxes, and reside within the HFHCC service area. Additionally, applicants must be present during repairs and participate as able. Eligibility is also based on household income, which must fall between 10% and 80% of the Median Family In
come.

One particularly meaningful project Shaefer mentioned involved a home on Green
Street in McKinney, owned by a couple who had lived there for 30 years. The husband, a retired construction worker, and his wife, a former elementary school lunch server, found themselves in dire need of assistance. 

“When we arrived, the home was absolutely unlivable,” Shaefer recalled. “The roof was caving in. There’s no way they weren’t being rained on in their bed at night because you could almost see through the roof.”

Recognizing the severity of the situation, HFHCC opted for a complete rebuild. The project gained momentum as part of a year-end fundraising campaign in honor of former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, later becoming a memorial following his passing. 

“We decided to work with the city and make this house a fresh start for both the family and the community,” Shaefer said. “We named it the Jimmy Carter House.”

With funding from the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) and community volunteers, the rebuild is well underway. Though soil issues caused delays, Shaefer remains optimistic. “Once we pour the foundation, then we get to do all the fun stuff with volunteers and framing,” she said. “This will be a great community project.”

Revitalizing homeownership with recycled houses

Beyond new builds, HFHCC is also revitalizing existing homes through its Recycle House program. When a Habitat homeowner moves, the organization exercises its First Right of Refusal to buy back the home, renovate it, and offer it to another qualifying family at an affordable price.

Mary Ellis and her adult son, Ashton, became beneficiaries of this program in December 2024, receiving the keys to their new home in Wylie. Mary had originally been on the waitlist for a new build in McKinney’s Cotton Groves development, but when construction slowed, she was offered the recycled home instead. 

“My dream was always to get a home so that if anything should happen to me, my son Ashton would still have a place to go,” Mary said, adding, “When I chose this house, I knew I was going to be giving up one or two things because a new build is a new build. But once I looked at everything and saw that it was well kept up, in a quiet neighborhood, with nice amenities including a new fence, I decided it was the home for me.”

Shaefer sees the Recycle House program as crucial and plans to seek government grants to purchase and rehabilitate more homes like the one in Wylie “because affordable housing in already in critically short supply.” 

After operating in Collin County for 33 years, many homes are getting to that point where they’re ready to be recycled, said Shaefer. “If corporations buy and flip these homes into a higher-cost properties, working-class families lose opportunities to build generational wealth,” she added. “We need to preserve these homes for those who need them most.” 

Community partnerships, volunteer opportunities

HFHCC is strengthening communities one home at a time, working closely with “Partner Families” throughout their journey, from qualification and construction to sweat equity work. The process typically takes 12 to 18 months, but the relationship extends beyond move-in, ensuring continued support and community engagement.

In Princeton, the nonprofit has built two of five planned homes on land donated by the school district on Harrelson Court. During construction, high school students from the PISD Construction Trades program participated hands-on.

“It was a great opportunity for our students to get the opportunity to work with and learn from the builders involved in the Habitat for Humanity project here in Princeton,” said Director Brett Hackman. 

At the November 2024 dedication ceremony in Princeton, Shaefer highlighted the students’ impact. “All the kids who had helped build the house were there at the home blessing,” she said. “These are 16- to 18-year-olds who will drive by these houses for the rest of their lives, knowing they were part of something lasting.”

Shaefer said HFHCC has  projects going on in Plano, Anna, Blue Ridge, Fairview and Lucas, tackling both home builds and critical repair projects. Funding remains a challenge, particularly as areas like Princeton lose access to rural housing grants due to population growth. 

“Princeton isn’t rural anymore,” Shaefer said. “We need new funding sources because each house in Princeton costs about $175,000 to build.”

Despite financial hurdles, Shaefer remains confident in the power of community support. HFHCC welcomes donations, volunteers, and even vehicle contributions through its Cars for Homes program. It’s McKinney ReStore, which sells discounted home improvement materials, also plays a key role in funding operations.

“We’ve got a very aggressive build schedule, so we are looking for groups and individuals to help in all sorts of ways,” Shaefer said. “Anybody who wants to be a part of the Habitat family —we can put them to work.” 

Want to help?

Register to volunteer, donate or pursue homeownership at habitatcollincounty.org