Habitat for Humanity International and 84 U.S. Habitat affiliates receive transformational $436M gift from MacKenzie Scott.

Habitat Suffolk will use funds to address affordable housing shortage on Long Island

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY (March 22, 2022) — Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, along with Habitat for
Humanity International, and 83 other U.S. Habitat affiliate organizations, recently received $436
million in unrestricted giving from American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This
transformational donation will substantially help further Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone
has equitable access to a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. From the donation,
$3,750,000 will be allotted to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Mackenzie Scott for bestowing us with this transformational
gift and believing in the ability of our affiliate to fulfill Habitat’s mission to use God’s love to bring
people together to build homes, communities and hope here on Long Island,” said Habitat for
Humanity of Suffolk Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director Lee Silberman. “When families work
side by side with our construction staff and volunteers to build their forever home, they are not only
creating a better community, but they are building a better life for themselves and the future for their
children.”

Mr. Silberman added, “Currently, more than half of all families on Long Island spend over 30% of their
income on housing, which is the HUD definition of being housing burdened. An astonishing 20% of all
families spend more than half of their income on housing, leaving little to no money to pay for proper
health care and other necessities. People vital to making Long Island a great place to live, such as
classroom aides, home health care aides, volunteer firefighters and EMTs cannot afford to live in or
near the communities they serve. This gift will give us the tools to help them, and in turn, help the
community at large.”

Over the next three to five years, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk will use the donation to increase the
supply of affordable housing on Long Island, expand community outreach, and start a home repair
program to help hardworking, low-income families, military veterans and senior citizens improve their
homes and quality of life, so they can flourish in the communities in which they live.
Habitat International will use its $25 million portion of the donation to prioritize advocacy and
programmatic efforts designed to dismantle systemic racism in housing. Specifically, the donation will
allow Habitat to advocate for policy proposals and legislation that enable millions of people access to
affordable housing through its Cost of Home advocacy campaign, increase Black homeownership in
the U.S. by targeting current systemic barriers through a new initiative that will launch this summer,
and leverage innovative capital investments that service communities of color.

“Habitat works to break down barriers and bring people together — to tear down obstacles and build
a world where everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from, has a decent place to live,”
said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “This incredible gift helps make that
work possible.”
Over the last two years, MacKenzie Scott’s charitable efforts have centered on equity for underserved
communities, reducing food insecurity, addressing high local poverty rates, and alleviating suffering
for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk
Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, Inc. is an independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity
International. Since 1988, Habitat Suffolk has empowered hundreds of families to achieve their
homeownership dreams through its affordable home ownership program, building 5-8 houses
annually. Recognized as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator, Habitat Suffolk works in partnership
with thousands of Suffolk County volunteers and responsible, lower-income families of all races,
religions, and creeds, to build and renovate homes for those in need. To learn more, visit
habitatsuffolk.org

About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its
earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia.
Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global
nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries.
Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a
place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and
pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support
affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they
need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit
habitat.org.