FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Seventy-six families in Lee and Hendry counties reached the final step in their homeownership journey – paying off their mortgages – sparking Habitat for Humanity's Paid in Full celebration, which showcased the lasting impact of its Affordable Homeownership Program.

Held Nov. 10 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, which underwrote the event, Paid in Full brought together families for a symbolic mortgage-shredding ceremony, joined by Habitat supporters, donors, partners and local community leaders. During the ceremony, families received mortgage documents to shred, signifying that they now own their homes outright. Each family also received a personalized Paid in Full certificate from Habitat board members. In total, 76 families have achieved mortgage-free status over the past two years, a milestone marking financial independence and stability for generations to come.

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"The Paid in Full celebration honors more than a mortgage being paid off; it honors years of perseverance, the active partnership of our families and the collective effort of everyone who invests in Habitat's mission," said Cece Willis, Habitat's vice president of resource and development. "Our donors, volunteers and community partners make it possible for families to build stability that lasts for generations, and this milestone reflects the impact of that shared commitment coming full circle."

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is a faith-based nonprofit that partners with local families to realize their housing and financial goals. Families must participate in Habitat's Affordable Homeownership Program to qualify for homeownership. This involves completing sweat equity hours, attending homeownership education classes and contributing to the closing costs of their home.

One of the newest Paid in Full Habitat homeowners is Luis, who was working part-time at Publix when he learned about Habitat for Humanity.

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"Thanks to Habitat, my wife was able to get her master's degree in special education and become a teacher in Cape Coral, and I was able to become a nurse," Luis said. "Habitat allowed us to continue growing, and last Friday, I submitted my dissertation proposal as a Ph.D. student."

"This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined," added homeowner Stefanie. "I went from being homeless to being a homeowner. Habitat set the foundation for my entire life."

The families celebrated at the Paid in Full event bring the organization's total to 381 local families that own their Habitat homes outright. To date, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has built more than 1,900 homes, repaired over 390 homes and provided housing counseling to more than 3,000 local families.

To learn more about Habitat's Affordable Homeownership Program or to become a home sponsor, visit Habitat4Humanity.org (http://www.habitat4humanity.org/).