PenAir Federal Credit Union Donates $120,000 to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity at Hancock Meadows Groundbreaking

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- PenAir Federal Credit Union is marking its 90th anniversary with its most significant community investment yet — a $120,000 donation to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity in support of a new 33-home affordable housing development on Pensacola's east side.

PenAir President and CEO Lee Morgan made the announcement Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for Hancock Meadows, located at 310 Hancock Lane. The donation will fund two key elements of the development — a community green space and a model home that prospective families can tour to envision what homeownership through the Habitat program could look like for them.

"Affordable housing in Escambia County or anywhere in the Panhandle — they're not as easy to come by as you would think," Morgan said. "Working with Habitat to build affordable housing touched me personally because I know it strengthens families."

The Hancock Meadows development will feature 33 homes across multiple program models, including Habitat's traditional homebuyer program, a community land trust, military housing, rental units, and open market options. All homes will include garages and landscaping, and the neighborhood will anchor around a shared community park.

Morgan says PenAir has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for years — participating in women's builds and executive builds — but the 90th anniversary felt like the right moment to make a larger commitment. He says the credit union's philosophy of "communerosity" — a combination of community and generosity — drives its approach to giving back in every market where PenAir operates.

"PenAir has been giving back to our communities for 90 years," Morgan said. "Our purpose is to enhance lives, and we feel that this is one way we can do so."

The model home sponsored by PenAir will initially serve as a showcase for the neighborhood before being transitioned to a Habitat family. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Sam Young has been credited by PenAir with driving the vision behind the Hancock Meadows project.