The Miller family celebrates their new home, sponsored by Rita Case, in A Rick Case Habitat Community. PHOTO COURTESY OF HABITAT

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida driver license examiner is changing the address on her own license and putting apartment living in the rearview mirror, thanks to the generosity of Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group.

Case joined Habitat for Humanity of Broward in presenting Florida Department of Motor Vehicles employee Evelyn Miller and her family, husband Lance and their son Lance, Jr., the keys to their new home during a dedication ceremony for one of four WOMENBuild sponsored homes at ‘A Rick Case Habitat Community.’ Evelyn, Lance and Rita all share a career relating to cars and driving – Evelyn is a driver license examiner; Lance is an Enterprise Rent-ACar service agent; and Rita is CEO of Rick Case Automotive.

Case, who launched the Rita Case WOMENBuild in 2023, also sponsored the Miller family’s new home. The Rita Case WOMENBuild raised more than $800,000 in sponsorships for eight new homes at ‘A Rick Case Habitat Community.’ When complete, this Pompano Beach community of 76 homes will be the largest affordable homeownership community in the county’s history.

“I am so excited for the Miller family. Today they move into a new home that they helped build and that is truly their own,” Case said. “Habitat for Humanity does not give hand-outs. Instead, we provide a hand-up. Habitat homeowners invest their sweat equity into working on their homes and those of other homeowners, and they are provided with an affordable mortgage. I am so proud of the women behind the Rita Case WOMENBuild. I want to inspire and encourage successful businesswomen in leadership positions to join us in bringing modern, safe and affordable housing to families in Broward County.”

The family of three is excited to leave their one-bedroom apartment in the rearview mirror and upgrade to a more spacious home they can call their own in ‘A Rick Case Habitat Community.’ “Homeownership is a dream we have had as parents for as long as we both can remember,” said Evelyn Miller. “It will allow us to make sure our son will have more opportunity and a better future.”

The support of Case, the Rita Case WOMENBuild and other partners is imperative to providing homeownership opportunities to those in need. “This day is always cause for celebration when we can provide homeownership to hard-working families,” said Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat Broward. “We are not only building homes, but we are building community and hope while nurturing and empowering families in a safe environment.”

Habitat Broward’s Women Build program dates back to 2002. Since then, it has engaged, equipped and empowered more than 1,000 women to fund and build 52 homes throughout Broward County. Women Build is a global movement with 1,200 affiliates that seeks to empower women to support women and families in need of affordable housing.

The need is great in Broward. According to the Broward Housing Council, 42% of homeowners and 60% of renters in Broward County are either cost burdened or severely cost burdened, meaning the households are spending more than 30% of their monthly income on mortgage or rent. Affordable housing uplifts residents, encourages social connection, increases adjacent property values, attracts businesses, creates jobs and lowers crime rates.