The Arizona Housing Fund (AZHF), a private sector philanthropic initiative created to address Arizona’s growing homelessness epidemic, has named Meritage Homes its 2023 partner of the year. AZHF Founder Howard Epstein presented the award to the Meritage Homes team at the company’s holiday lunch on December 4.
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“Meritage Homes has been a strong supporter from day one,” says Epstein. “Not only does Meritage give their homebuyers the opportunity to make a $25 donation for every new home delivered, but they also match those donations dollar for dollar. On top of that, several Meritage team members have connected with the mission of the Arizona Housing Fund and make their own personal donations to help fund housing for Arizonans living without shelter.”
Meritage Homes is the fifth largest homebuilder in the United States, and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. Since they signed on as the pilot homebuilder in 2019, Meritage Homes has donated a total of nearly $200,000 to the Arizona Housing Fund.
“One of Meritage’s core values is ‘Start with Heart.’ We recognize our commitments extend beyond delivering quality, affordable homes, to building stronger communities in our markets,” says Meritage Homes CEO Phillippe Lord. “Our Arizona divisions in both Phoenix and Tucson have partnered with the Arizona Housing Fund over the last four years to provide permanent affordable housing for Arizonans experiencing homelessness. We believe in the necessary work that the Arizona Housing Fund is doing and collectively with contributions from our homebuyers, Meritage has donated nearly $200,000 since 2019 to help solve the homelessness crisis in this state.”
To date, the Arizona Housing Fund, which is housed at the Arizona Community Foundation, has raised a total of nearly $2 million and awarded $1.35 million in grants to eight Arizona nonprofits for eight unique projects that will provide more permanent, supportive housing and affordable housing for hundreds of Arizonans in need. Arizona homebuilders who wish to get involved with the Arizona Housing Fund and make a donation for each new home sold can visit arizonahousingfund.org to learn more.
