Stronger and expanded social networks

Homeownership did not create Tikisha’s sense of community responsibility, but it helped offer her the time and security to live those commitments to the fullest. Over the last two decades as a Habitat homeowner, she has nurtured relationships with many of her neighbors and spent countless hours maintaining the community spaces. She even helped build a “little free library” in the neighborhood, complete with kid’s activities, canned food, and a fresh herb garden. You also might spot her volunteering at Southside Community Farm, a BIPOC-led urban farm in one of Asheville’s legacy neighborhoods. Everywhere you look, Tikisha is giving of herself to the community.

For Tikisha and many other Habitat homeowners, homeownership has nurtured feelings of social connection and supported or inspired greater engagement with their communities. Affordable homeownership has helped families build stronger and more expansive social networks.

Many Habitat families find a feeling of connection in their new homes and neighborhoods. For Katrina, it was important to be able to bestow a sense of safety and community in her children, so it was a relief to move into her home nineteen years ago and find that “my kids and my grandkids can go outside and just play and everybody looks out for each other.” after Habitat

37% increased their engagement in social and community activities

32%

67%

Homeownership has offered some homeowners new leadership opportunities. Six-year homeowner Kelvin has embraced the notion of community responsibility, joining the Board of the Homeowners Association (HOA) and fostering community with neighbors.

83% are registered to vote

Research shows that people with stronger social capital and more community engagement are more likely to engage with the democratic system through voting and civic involvement. Habitat homeowners report participating in the political system at higher rates than the broader community.

Respondents who identified as Black or African American describe expanding their social and community involvement even more significantly.

42% of those said they began to engage in community activities more often

Energy efficiency and reduced energy costs

Brigitte remembers that poor insulation paired with oil heat in her rental meant the winters were financially brutal. “I’m not going to let my kids be cold,” she says, so that meant the small supplemental check she received every winter went straight to filling the oil tank instead of paying for necessary expenses, buying Christmas gifts, or going into savings.

Even when they don’t rely on oil heat, low-income families often find themselves in homes with poor energy efficiency and struggling with high energy cost burdens.

3 bedroom Habitat home energy savings compared to homes built 2001 - 2011, 1,000 - 1,176 sq ft

$490/year 316 kwh/mth

According to the Department of Energy, low-income households in North Carolina spent between eight and ten percent of their income on energy in 2019.

Though every household’s size and energy needs are different, data shared by existing Habitat homeowners demonstrates the financial and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. With energy efficient homes, Habitat homeowners can reduce their energy consumption, lower their energy costs, and minimize their environmental footprint.

1 bedroom Habitat home energy savings compared to homes built 2008 - 2021, 500 - 792 sq ft

$861/year

556 kwh/mth