The Gift of Community Service: Habitat for Humanity

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It has been a very full day. This morning I volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity work site putting up trusses. The cost for these homes has increased 30k since the start of the pandemic. These homes are meant to be affordable, but since the rise in lumber and materials cost has skyrocketed, it will take some doing to actually make these home affordable for the foreseeable future.

There was a time when the program could make these zero percent loans at cost homes for an average cost of 65 to 75k. The payoff would span over 18 to 22 years. This allowed for the cost of the home to be repaid at a lower rate over time. The homeowner would essential pay around 350 to 400 dollars a month for mortgage, property taxes and home owners insurance.

Now with the prices of lumber at such an outrageous cost, these same homes are averaging 95 to 115k. This means the loans have to be spread out over a longer period of time to keep the homes affordable. Not only that, the need for more financial assistance and donations must rise with this cost. Habitat depends on donations, grants, and volunteers to support its mission of creating affordable homes for communities.

I enjoy the work and helping people see their dream of owning a home come to fruition. Today, despite the odds, we have put trusses on a home that a family will take possession of in a few months. I am proud of the work that we do. Lifting a hammer to help hammer out unsustainable housing and building bridges to a more inclusive community is something I can get behind.

Comments

  1. MillieMay 16, 2021 at 5:46 AM

    Bless you! Something I hope to do somewhere in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jena EvansMay 16, 2021 at 7:02 PM

      My prayer is you get to see that hope fulfilled. Blessings!

      Delete

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