Habitat depends on volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of cash, building materials, professional services and property to build simple, decent homes with low-income families. Habitat homeowners qualify for an interest-free mortgage from Habitat, make a modest down payment, and put in at least 200 hours (per adult household member) of “sweat equity” on their home and other families’ homes. Our Habitat families also take financial management classes, home maintenance classes, and legal classes to prepare them for the responsibilities of homeownership. We make a commitment to our Habitat families that their mortgage payment – including taxes and insurance – will be no more than 30% of their gross monthly income (an affordability threshold set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development).

The successful impact of Habitat homeownership is not short-lived; stable homeownership increases our County’s tax base, stabilizes our school system, and sets the benchmark for generations to come. With safe, decent, and affordable housing, families are better able to concentrate on parenting, employment, education, and community involvement.