“We are all thrilled to take a little time away from our daily work responsibilities to build with Flower City Habitat for Humanity,” said Jeff Morrell, owner of Morrell Builders.

​“As builders, their program of partnering with families to create an affordable homeownership opportunity is near and dear to our hearts. Their motto says it all — ‘through shelter, we empower ourselves, our neighbors and our community.’ We can’t wait to get started.“

The Autism Council of Rochester, Inc. has created a new partnership with Flower City
Habitat for Humanity to create a unique housing program for individuals and families
with children & adults living with Autism. This partnership is a first-of-its-kind in New
York State and its focus will be to remove barriers which prevent our families from fully
participating in homeownership, including the families in the build process and the
necessary accommodations for Sensory Needs Modifications, which may be a
challenge for individuals on the spectrum and possibly prevent them from being able to
enjoy their physical surroundings and comfort within their home.

The program currently has five applicants in the process.

"We are very excited about the new housing program and the steps being taken to
serve a vastly underserved group in our community. As a parent of someone living with
autism, I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges living situations can create on a
daily basis," said Lawana Jones, Founder & Executive Director of the Autism Council.

“We are truly gratified to be in partnership with the Autism Council of Rochester. We
look forward to providing homes that will allow each individual to be fully supported
and truly benefit from their living environment. We know the impact on our homebuyers
and their families will be a lasting one,” said Matt Flanigan, CEO, Flower City Habitat
for Humanity. “We look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our mission
of building homeownership, communities, and hope.”

Groundbreaking for the initial two homes in the program will begin in June 2019.

​For more information on the next round of applications for the housing program, please
email, info@theautismcouncil.org

We are grateful to have celebrated our 35th Flower City Habitat for Humanity Anniversary with our wonderful community supporters, donors, volunteers, staff, and sponsors! ​Together we raised over $125,000 to continue building strength, stability, and self-reliance in Rochester!