Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County held its first State of the Affiliate event at Truluck's The Woodlands on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Five housing experts sat down over breakfast to discuss the challenges facing affordable homeownership across the region.

The gathering, reported by Hello Woodlands, brought together leaders from national, state and local housing organizations for a panel on the pressures families face when trying to buy a home.

The panelists were:

  • Edwin Hensley, director of U.S. construction at Habitat for Humanity International
  • Amy Ledbetter Parham, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Texas
  • Aimee Bertrand, executive vice president and CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association
  • Steve Sherman, associate director for research at the Center for Housing and Neighborhoods at Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Kim Soderberg, a real estate agent with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate – Gary Greene and co-chair of the 2027 Building Hope Gala

Hello Woodlands reported that the panel covered operational efficiencies, managing construction costs while maintaining quality, trade education opportunities, housing policies and sustainable funding.

Following the panel, Jalisa, a future Habitat MCTX homeowner, spoke about what owning a home means for her and her daughter, according to Hello Woodlands.

"I am looking forward to giving my daughter a place where she can simply be a kid, and where we can finally feel settled and rooted," Jalisa said. "As simple as it sounds, I'm actually most excited about marking her height on the kitchen wall every year and watching those little marks grow with her."

Habitat MCTX says it has operated in Montgomery County since 1989 and works with local families to create affordable homeownership opportunities. Its current homeownership program requires qualified buyers to complete education, financial counseling and sweat-equity hours and demonstrate an ability to obtain a mortgage.

The nonprofit is also expanding. In July, Habitat MCTX dedicated its first two homes in Marble Creek, an 81-acre community in Magnolia planned for more than 200 families, as the Houston Chronicle reported.

Habitat's 2026 event calendar lists a May 16 home dedication and Cedar Creek closing, followed by its July 17 Blitz Build celebration and home dedications.

Montgomery County's population reached an estimated 781,194 on July 1, 2025, up 25.9% from the Census Bureau's 2020 estimates base. The county counted 620,443 residents in the 2020 census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Next on Habitat MCTX's calendar: a Volunteer Appreciation Event on Feb. 11, 2027, and the 14th Annual Building Hope Gala on April 17, 2027, according to the nonprofit's official event calendar.