This holiday season will be particularly special for more than 1,000 families, many of whom will - for the first time - be able to create memories in their own homes. Throughout 2016, longtime partners Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity have worked toward a yearlong goal to build or repair 1,000 homes alongside families across the U.S. to help them realize their dreams of safe, affordable homeownership.

At a culminating event in Fort Worth, Habitat and Lowe’s will revitalize 58 homes and string holiday lighting with 19 families, while celebrating surpassing that goal and bringing the joy of experiencing holiday traditions in the comfort of their homes to families in more than 300 communities nationwide.

“Homeownership and access to safe, decent and affordable housing is a struggle for many families in communities across the country,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, deputy director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Habitat for Humanity International. “This year Lowe’s made a tremendous commitment to address this issue. Thanks to both a $4.5 million financial commitment, as well as the hands-on support of nearly 4,000 Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, many Habitat homeowners’ lives have been positively impacted.”

Stable housing is foundational to building strength, stability, self-reliance and living a quality life, but in communities across the country, having access to a decent and affordable house is a challenge for many families. Nearly one in four households in the U.S. pays more than 30 percent of their income for housing, making it difficult to affording necessities such as food or clothing.

Lowe’s Heroes volunteers across the country provided their expertise and assistance to touch the lives of incredible families from across the nation, including the Rico family from Fort Worth. Shelby Rico, a single mother of three children, thought homeownership was out of her reach until Trinity Habitat for Humanity accepted her application through its homeowner partner program. This year, after putting in more than 200 hours of sweat equity, including time actually framing her house during National Women Build Week, Shelby and her kids will celebrate Christmas morning together in their very first home.

“Lowe’s has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for over a decade because we believe that a safe, stable home is a source of strength, pride and independence for families, and essential for building our communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s director of community relations. “The holidays are a particularly meaningful time of year to spend in your home and that’s why we committed to helping make that a reality for more than 1,000 families.”

Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity launched the Home for the Holidays initiative in March at the Kobalt 400 and worked throughout the year to reach their goal through a variety of partnership events such as National Women Build Week, neighborhood revitalizations and Lowe’s volunteer days.