LaToya Bell

“They have raised my rent twice since I’ve lived here and I’ve called the police at least eight times over shootings.” _LaToya

Homeowner Profile: LaToya works as a certified insurance adjuster for Acceptance Insurance and also for Publix part-time. She has frequently worked side jobs for extra income. She is a nationally registered certified medical assistant and achieved her associate’s degree

“I am just so happy to be a part of something like this where people actually care about you.”

Housing Need: LaToya says she has experienced it all when it comes to challenging housing situations: from homelessness and living in a shelter to poor conditions and frequent safety concerns in her current apartment Rent increases have left her cost burdened even when working two jobs. She has always wanted to own a home and longs for the stability of ownership.

Future Homeowner LaToya: LaToya says she heard about Habitat for Humanity 10 years ago and actually volunteered to help a friend build her Habitat home. “I was excited about what I saw and what I was told about the program I feel like being able to be a part of this program will drastically change my life and give me pride knowing that I worked hard and I will be able to say I am a homeowner ”

“I know for a fact that I will have some peace of mind and privacy.”

Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Homeownership Opportunities for Hardworking Neighbors

Habitat provides homeownership opportunities for working men and women who are unable to obtain a traditional mortgage in five counties: Davidson, Dickson, Wilson, Cheatham, and Robertson. In support of our mission, Habitat of Greater Nashville operates retail stores, the ReStore, in Davidson, Wilson, and Dickson counties. Habitat of Greater Nashville was established in 1985 and has built, recycled, or renovated more than 1,420 homes around the world, 1,000 of those locally, and has served more than 3,482 family members, including 2,183 children.

Habitat builds ENERGY STAR® certified homes and has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency 14 consecutive years for Sustained Excellence in Affordable Housing, which helps homeowners save an average of $25,000 in electric costs over the life of the mortgage.

Homeownership

Habitat homes are not free. Habitat of Greater Nashville engages sponsor support and volunteer labor to offer qualifying individuals and families an affordable mortgage based on the appraised value of the home. To qualify, future homeowners must fall within income guidelines (maximum 80% of area median income), be able to pay for closing costs, make a monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, and be willing to complete the Habitat homeownership training program.

Future homeowners in the program invest at least 200 hours, which includes homeownership classes and working on the build site, to earn the opportunity to purchase a Habitat home. The homeownership training program can take 6-18 months to complete.

www.habitatnashville.org

Volunteers

Habitat is a licensed home builder that utilizes volunteer workers who help keep the cost of the homes affordable. Paid subcontractors are scheduled during the week to complete code related tasks. Build days start at 7:30 a.m. and end in the afternoon when the day’s work is done. Volunteers are also utilized at the ReStore helping stock shelves and working with the Deconstruct program.

Investment

Habitat realizes its mission through the financial support of partnerships with local government, corporations, and faith organizations. Current build sponsorship ranges from $132,000 for 16 build day experiences, to $8,250 for one build day experience, offering up to 20 volunteers per build day experience. Habitat is starting its newest single-family home neighborhood, Village by the Creek, in 2023.

The impact of engaging with Habitat for Humanity is immeasurable. Children who grow up in homes are more likely to graduate from high school and college and to become contributing members of the community. Habitat homeowners pay close to $1 million in property taxes annually, supporting vital community services.

Retail

Habitat of Greater Nashville operates retail centers, the ReStore, in three counties diverting more than 1,500 tons of materials from city landfills annually. The ReStores sell used and new home and office furnishings and building supplies donated from individuals and companies. The ReStore has generated net earnings to support agency operations at a level equivalent to about 60 new home sponsorships.

Individuals who wish to donate to the ReStore can drop their items at any ReStore location, found at: www.habitatnashville.org. For larger items, the ReStore offers FREE pick up by calling: 615-942-1290.

Remodeling? Renovating? Want to save some money and fund good works? Habitat’s skilled Deconstruct professionals will remove your kitchen cabinets, appliances, doors, windows and more for FREE when you donate them to Habitat. Call 615-942-1273 for more information.

Patton Hill Road

Village by the Creek — Spring Build 2023

Parking Directions:

Please park at Bass Street Missionary Baptist Church, 3447 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN 37207. Once you arrive, drive behind the church to the parking lot where Habitat sta will guide you to the build site located o Ewing Valley Road. Please allow 5-7 minutes for the walk. We look forward to seeing you.

Deliveries: Use 3798 Village Trail, Nashville, TN to bring deliveries to the build site. Please drop all food deliveries at the tent. Construction deliveries should check in at the construction trailer.

Build Volunteer General Information

Build Day Schedule: All volunteers should arrive by 7:00 a.m. for registration. The build day begins promptly at 7:30am with a safety meeting. Our goal is to stop work at approximately 3:30 p.m. We build as a community; starting together and ending together.

What to Wear: Sturdy boots are best. Tennis shoes are acceptable. (NO sandals, flip flops, open toes, open heels, high heels, etc.) Wear work clothes appropriate for the weather. (Bring a warm jacket, gloves, and hat if it’s cold, light layers, sunscreen, etc., if warm). Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. Chances are you’ll get dirty!

Construction Zone: The Habitat build site is a working construction zone. Be aware of your surroundings. Look for uneven terrain, electrical cords, nails, and other possible hazards. USE CAUTION.

Tools: Habitat Nashville has tools available for everyone at the jobsite. If you bring your own, label them clearly. If they get left or lost at the jobsite, they may be lost forever! Do NOT bring power tools or nail guns of any kind.

Weather Delays: NONE - If you sign up to volunteer, we are counting on you to be there. If weather ever makes the site dangerous, the Construction Director will ensure the safety of all volunteers. If you wake up and it’s raining, put on a poncho and come to the jobsite!

Habitat Nashville is a Drug-Free Workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances is prohibited on all build sites. Please read the Safety Handbook, before coming to the build site for the first time You can find an electronic copy of the Safety Handbook and more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville at: https://www.habitatnashville.org/volunteer

Age Guidelines: No one under 16 is allowed at the build site for any reason. Young people 16 or 17 may volunteer if they are accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age, in a ratio of 1 adult per 5 youth. They may not climb on the roof, use ladders or power tools. Parent/legal guardian must sign their release form. Volunteers should be prepared to show proof of age.

Food: All volunteers and volunteer groups are responsible for providing their own snacks, water, and lunch for the day. The entire build site will break for lunch at 11:30 am sharp. If you have lunch delivered for a group, it will need to be at the build site by 11:15 am. Breakfast and lunch need to be individually wrapped or boxed.

Seating: While there is no formal seating on the build site there are plenty of spots on the curb and around the site where volunteers can sit. However, volunteers are more than welcome to bring folding chairs to utilize during breaks or lunch.

Habitat does not accept court-mandated community service nor provide proof of service to the courts. ANY SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE NEEDS TO BE PRE-APPROVED.