On July 29, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County celebrated the first two homeowners in Landes Terrace, our largest neighborhood development to date. When complete, the neighborhood will include 14 homes across seven paired buildings, creating new opportunities for affordable homeownership in our community.
The first families to move in are Raven, who will share her new home with her children, Freya and Cosmos, and Katie and Jason, who are expecting a baby in September and are joined by their dog, Charlie. Jason shared, “We are most looking forward to finally living together and being able to bring a child into the world together. We have not lived together yet and it will be just the best to have each other and our baby in our own little place.”
This celebration also marks a period of significant progress for Habitat. In just the last three months, five families have received the keys to their homes. That includes the final two homeowners in the completed six-home Cliff Street neighborhood, one family in a recycled home on 21st Street, and now the first two homeowners at Landes Terrace.
Photos above: Left, Cliff Street Cottages, the final 2 home dedications in May of 2026. Right, the home dedication ceremony for the 21st St. recycled home, in June 2026.
Top photo collage: Top, group photo from the home dedication ceremony at Landes Terrace. Bottom left, new homeowner Raven outside her new home. Bottom right, homeowners Jason and Katie inside their new home.
Home dedication ceremonies reflect the power of partnership and the many people who work together to help make affordable homeownership possible. They are an opportunity to bring together fellow Habitat homeowners, volunteers, donors, and
community partners to celebrate all that goes into creating a home.
Executive Director Jamie Maciejewski welcomed attendees and expressed deep gratitude for the sponsor of both houses, John W. Weaver Jr., who was unable to attend the ceremony. Other speakers included Board Vice President Josie Morales, Senior Site Lead Raul Torres, Development Director Liesl Slabaugh, and Homeowner Services Manager Leanne Smith. Rev. Don Rollins of Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship offered a blessing for the homes and families.
The ceremony concluded with one of Habitat’s most meaningful traditions: the presentation of keys. Construction volunteer Sandy presented keys to Katie and Jason. Habitat homeowners and volunteers Cindy and Susan presented keys to Raven, sharing how they had worked alongside her on construction sites over the past couple of years.
Left photo: Raven, with daughter Freya, receiving the keys from fellow Habitat homeowners Cindy and Susan.
Right photo: Katie and Jason receiving the keys from construction volunteer Sandy.
Celebrating what is possible when a community comes together around the shared belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home.
Gathering together, current and future homeowners, volunteers, neighbors, donors, community members, business partners, affordable housing advocates, and local government representatives all celebrated the occasion and welcomed the new
homeowners to the neighborhood.
As the first families settle into Landes Terrace, they are helping launch a community that will continue to grow in the years ahead. Their new homes represent not only a personal milestone, but also what is possible when community comes together.
To learn more about the Landes Street neighborhood, click here.