On Monday, October 5, 2026, nineteen Central Florida executive leaders united at Habitat’s newest neighborhood, Legacy Square, in Sanford. Working side by side throughout the morning, participants installed windows and Tyvek house wrap, helping to prepare two homes for the next stage of construction.
Their efforts were part of Executive Build 2026, Habitat’s annual high-profile fundraising event held on World Habitat Day.
Recognized annually by the United Nations, World Habitat Day is “intended to remind the world that everyone has the power and the responsibility to shape the future of towns and cities.” The leaders who participated in Executive Build embodied global mission by investing their time, resources, and energy into addressing one of Central Florida’s most pressing needs, affordable housing.
Across Central Florida, 62% of renters are overburdened with monthly living costs, spending more than 35% of their income on housing. Today, a two-bedroom rental at the 2026 HUD fair market rent of $2,254 a month requires an annual income of approximately $90,160, or $43.35 per hour for one full-time worker. Additionally, the average home price of about $419,000 is currently more than five times the region’s median household income, placing homeownership out of reach for many hardworking families.
“In Central Florida, the people wo care for us, teach our children, and keep us safe can’t afford a two-bedroom rental, let alone a down payment or a dream,” said Penny Seater, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka. “Habitat exists to change that story. With partners like the leaders who picked up tools today, we’ve grown from building homes to building whole communities, and we walk with families long after the keys are handed over.”
Habitat closes the affordability gap by building and developing homes with monthly payments that are 35% or less of a family’s income. Legacy Square will feature 19 energy-efficient, single-family homes and represent a collaborative effort among community partners from across Central Florida to create lasting opportunities for local families.
For additional details about Executive Build 2026, including a full list of participants and event photos, view our press release. To learn more about this new community in Sanford, visit the Legacy Square webpage.