HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, working in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah
• Was established May 1998
• Serves Washington County
• Has built 13 homes
• Uses hundreds of volunteer hours for each house
• Keeps building costs at a minimum from donations of funds and materials
• Partners with low income families
• Offers a hand up -- not a hand out
• Guarantees partner families make down payment and monthly mortgage payments
• Assures partner families provide up to 500 “sweat equity hours”
• Sells completed houses at no profit and 0% interest
• Channels mortgage payments into revolving construction account to build more houses
Description:
Building a Habitat house is reminiscent of an old-fashioned "barn raising." It is a community event where people come together offering money, materials and labor to help a neighbor in need.
You can make a difference!
Donate Money: Help keep our mission of making home ownership a reality for selected families. Making a financial commitment to Habitat on a yearly basis allows for long-term planning. A tax receipt is sent for each donation.
Donate Materials: New building materials are used in each of the simple, decent Habitat Houses built. In-kind donations are essential to keep the final cost of the house affordable.
Volunteer: Habitat is based on the "Theology of the Hammer." Love in action. Each house build requires hundreds of volunteer hours, usually on Saturdays. Call the office at 674-7669 to sign up for the next build day.
Construction is the end result of a great deal of behind the scenes effort. Eight critical committees are the foundation of Habitat's success. Which one peaks your interest?
Family Selection Committee:
This committee selects future homeowners. For the most part, committee members need to have mortgage lending background or social services experience. Under the direction of the chair, a mandatory applicant meeting is held involving all committee members. The selection process if followed as outlined by Habitat for Humanity policy.
Family Support Committee:
This committee works with the families after the Family Selection Committee selects them. They help them with their sweat equity requirements, homeowner education, support, encouragement and anything else the families need. This is the most important committee in our organization. Two committee members are assigned to each selected family becoming their S/A/F (Support/Advocate/Friend). They stay close to the family from selection through the house dedication.
Site Selection Committee:
This committee works to find, purchase and prepare land for future building. This can include driving through Washington County looking for vacant property for sale in suitable neighborhoods. If desirable property that is not for sale is found, the member can go to the county records office to identify the property's tax payer. The owners can then be contacted to determine if there is interest in selling.
Fund Raising Committee:
To develop a perpetual source of working funds through use of individual donors, special events and other appropriate resources is the task of this committee. Members work closely with the Public Relations Committee to properly convey the Habitat mission, belief and vision throughout the community. Documentation is kept for each event.
• Hope Banquet
• Building Houses, Building Hope Breakfast
• Other Community Events
Church Relations Committee:
This committee is responsible for creating long lasting relationships and partnerships with the local churches. It should be made up of representatives of as many churches in the area as possible. The committee works to recruit volunteers and funds from the area churches as well as alert the religious community of family selection periods. They also keep members of their congregations apprised of Habitat activities and encourage their participation.
Construction Committee:
This committee is responsible for handling all the construction needs of the affiliate. Under the direction of the construction manager committee members oversee construction from time of site purchase through engineering, permit, site preparation, construction and landscaping. One member serves as liaison with sub contractors; one member coordinates volunteers.
Public Relations:
This committee works as a support to all committees to properly convey the Habitat mission, belief and vision throughout the community. Responsibilities include:
• Preparing promotional pieces, including fact sheets, brochures, posters, etc.
• Distributing public service announcements to print and radio
• Publishing affiliate newsletter
• Documenting affiliate events with photos, printed materials, press information, etc.
Volunteer Committee:
This committee recruits, trains, places, nurtures and appreciates volunteers. They plan volunteer appreciation activities, training activities and recruitment opportunities. They interview and place volunteers and assist Construction Committee in scheduling volunteers for the work site, etc. Activities include:
• Hosting volunteer recruitment breakfasts
• Organizing/hosting ground breaking and house dedication ceremonies
• Documenting volunteer activities
History:
The Habitat for Humanity has built 13 homes in Washington county.
They were established in 1999.
Restoring homes is their most ambitious work to date.
They are a 501C3 Board directed company.
Contact person: Michelle Hill, (phone)
Office fax number: (435) 674-1343
Address:
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1070 W. 1600 S. Bldg. BSt. Geoge, UT 84770(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.habitat-swu.org
| Last updated on October 16, 2009 |
