Community Partnership Habitat for Humanity - Coosa Valley

Community Partnership: Habitat for Humanity - Coosa Valley

by Jodi Varnado

Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley has been creating safe and affordable houses for families throughout the community since 1984. Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program is rooted in a mission to reflect God’s love to all individuals. This program helps partner families achieve their goal of homeownership and provides opportunities for community members to use their Godgiven gifts. Together, forever homes are built!

In May of 2021, Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley was blessed to be able to select two partner families and future Habitat homeowners: the Bowers family and the Chambers family. “The Habitat home will be a sense of stability and security for the girls and I. We will finally have something that we know is ours for a lifetime. I’m so grateful because I honestly did not think it would be something I would ever be able to obtain for them,” said Ms. Bowers.

How To Become a Partner Family

Habitat for Humanity is a hand-up, not a hand-out for families. Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program is a partnership with families in our community. Homes are sold, not given, to approved homeowner applicants. These applicants demonstrate a need for housing, an ability to pay, and a willingness to partner.

Criteria:

1. A need for simple, decent, and affordable housing, as defined by one or more of the following: substandard living conditions, unsafe living environment, temporary housing, cost burden, and or overcrowding. 2. An ability to pay a 25–30-year interest-free mortgage. 3. A willingness to partner, including the fulfillment of 300 “sweat equity” hours of volunteer work and participation in required educational classes and approved community activities.

This selection process is managed by Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors who select applicants facing the greatest need—of which, cost burden and overcrowding pose the two largest struggles our community is facing right now. This includes families who are paying more than 30% of their annual income on rent or families who live in multiple-family homes. After reviewing an applicant’s application and needs, the Family Selection Committee conducts a home visit to assess needs in person. This allows for the Committee to talk with families one-on-one and tour their current housing conditions.

Once a family is selected and approved into Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program, the family can begin fulfilling their “sweat equity” hours. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor in building their home and the houses of others. The labor reduces the cost of the house while increasing their pride of ownership. Families also complete their hours working at the Habitat ReStore or in the affiliate office. “Sweat equity” hours are intended for every member of the family to contribute, even the children! Children are eligible to contribute 20 hours based on academic performance. This includes A-B report cards and attendance. “This is a way for the children to contribute and feel a part of the process,” said Betsy Allgood, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley.

The guiding principle behind “sweat equity” hours is to provide partner families the ability to give back to the community that is giving to them. Partner families are encouraged to work with other non-profits throughout the community and contribute to local church and school events.

Family and friends are also able to contribute 1/3 of the family’s total hours. Together, “sweat equity” volunteer hours are a family affair—parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, and cousins all have the opportunity to foster family connections and support the surrounding community. Partner families must complete half of the total hours before Groundbreaking, which begins 2-3 months after approval.

The whole home construction process averages around 16-18 months, depending on the number of donations and volunteers. Throughout this process, partner families are met with community support. Each partner family is paired with a mentor—an individual from the community who can guide the family on decision making and preparations as first-time homebuyers. This process enables families to step into homeownership with confidence, excitement, and a strong sense of pride.

Applications for Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program open this year on Friday, December 17. If you are interested in becoming a partner family, you can pick up an application at the Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley office, at 504 E 1st Ave, Rome, GA 30161, or online at habitatcoosavalley.org/homeownership. Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley will accept completed applications beginning Monday, January 3, 2022, through Friday, February 25, 2022.

How To Help Build a Forever Home

Community involvement is vital to the success of Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. If you would like to donate or volunteer, you can visit habitatcoosavalley.org. If you would like to be involved in the construction process, you can sign up online to be updated on upcoming volunteer opportunities. You can email Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley, at habitat@ habitatcoosavalley.org, to address specific interests (creativity, strategy, and technical skills) and be placed on their contact list when those specific needs arise. “One of the easiest ways to support Habitat for Humanity- Coosa Valley is through donations and purchases at our ReStore,” said Allgood.

You can follow the Bowers family and Chambers family’s construction journey on Facebook at @ RomeFloydHabitatforHumanity.