Habitat for Humanity

Eleven members of the Greater Portland Board of Realtors volunteered for a full day of hands-on work for Habitat, which the group supports with both labor and funding.

The nonprofit has grown from one staffer to eight, with over 300 volunteers annually and a growing portfolio of housing developments. The goal is to triple its space.

The program minimizes utility costs and addresses critical repairs, preventing displacement and helping build long-term financial stability.

A Kennebunkport foundation pledged support to help Habitat acquire property to build a subdivision in the greater Kennebunk region.

Affordable land sales, regular volunteering and tireless advocacy were cited in this year’s awards.

Chad Mullin has been promoted to executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, stepping into a role held by Tara Hill, who retired.

The board also applied for a Maine Association of Realtors grant, which, if approved, would double the total raised to $49,458.

In Maine and nationwide, the number of single women buying homes is rising at a fast clip, outpacing their oft better-paid male peers to become financially and residentially independent.