Habitat For Humanity International Inc

HABITAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITY AND HOPE. WE BUILD STRENGTH, STABILITY, AND SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH SHELTER. OUR VISION IS A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE.

HOME OWNERSHIP, AGING IN PLACE, AND VETERANS PROGRAMS - FAMILIES IN NEED OF A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE IN SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOMES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US. HABITAT HOUSES ARE MODESTLY SIZED. THEY ARE LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE HOMEOWNERS FAMILY'S NEEDS, BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO KEEP CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AFFORDABLE. BY USING THE LABOR OF VOLUNTEERS AND PROSPECTIVE HOMEOWNERS, EMPLOYING EFFICIENT BUILDING METHODS, KEEPING HOUSE SIZE MODEST, USING DONATED CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS AND APPLIANCES, AND ISSUING NO-PROFIT LOANS, HABITAT MAKES ITS HOUSES AFFORDABLE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO PURCHASE. AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP HELPS CREATE THE CONDITIONS THAT FREE FAMILIES FROM INSTABILITY, STRESS AND FEAR AND ENCOURAGE SELF- RELIANCE AND CONFIDENCE. STUDIES SHOW THAT STRONG AND STABLE HOUSEHOLDS ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. WHEN A HOME FOSTERS - INSTEAD OF HINDERS - HEALTH AND SAFETY, FAMILIES CAN FLOURISH. OWNING AN AFFORDABLE HOME ALSO ALLOWS HOMEOWNERS TO LIFT UP THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY BY SAVING FOR THEIR FUTURES AND INVESTING IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BOLSTERING JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND LONG-TERM CAREER GROWTH. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY - 1) CLOSED ON 5 HOMES AND WORKED ON 4 OTHER HOMES THAT WILL CLOSE IN 2022; 2) COMPLETED THE PLAYGROUND IN OUR FIELDS AT HIGHLAND PARK SUBDIVISION; 3) COMPLETED 9 AGING IN PLACE PROJECTS, 8 ROOFS AND ONE OTHER REPAIR; 4) COMPLETED 3 CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS FOR VETERANS; 5) HAD 5 SALES OF VACANT LOTS; 6) PROVIDED CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO APPROXIMATELY 205 INDIVIDUALS, RESULTING IN 2,584 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF SERVICE; 7) PAID 21,000 TO HFH INTERNATIONAL, WHICH SUPPORTS BUILDING HOMES WORLDWIDE; 8) HAD 6 FUTURE HOMEOWNERS WORK ON SWEAT EQUITY, WHICH IMPACTED THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, TOTALING 16 INDIVIDUALS IN ALL. ALL COMPLETED OUR REQUIRED HOMEOWNER WELLNESS CLASSES, WHICH INCLUDES FINANCIAL LITERACY (FDIC MONEYSMART, HUD-CERTIFIED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION, AND CSW FINANCIAL SELF-DISCOVERY, BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND POST-PURCHASE EXPECTATIONS (CODE ENFORCEMENT, CCR TRAINING, INSURANCE, AND HOME MAINTENANCE), FOOD AND NUTRITION (EATING HEALTHY ON A BUDGET, REMAINING ACTIVE AND MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AS A FAMILY), AND FAMILY AND STRESS MANAGEMENT SKILLS (DECLUTTERING, MINDFULNESS, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS).

THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED TWO "RESTORES", NONPROFIT HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES AND DONATIONS CENTERS THAT SELL NEW AND GENTLY USED FURNITURE, HOME ACCESSORIES, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND APPLIANCES TO THE PUBLIC AT A FRACTION OF THE RETAIL PRICE. THE RESTORES OPERATED TWO BOX TRUCKS THAT PROVIDED LARGE DONATION PICKUP SERVICES IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, FREE OF CHARGE, TO ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DECREASE LANDFILL WASTE BY MAKING DONATING AND RECYCLING MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE. ALL PROCEEDS ARE USED TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. 160 INDIVIDUALS WERE PROVIDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, RESULTING IN 2,090 VOLUNTEER HOURS. THIS INCLUDES COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS.