How Does Habitat Work?
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Pemi-Valley Habitat works to secure land and to fund
raise the money for the cost of a home. Once land and
money are in place, a homeowner family is chosen.
Homeowner families are chosen based on their need for
housing, income level, ability to pay for the home, and
their willingness to partner with Habitat (for more
details see
"How Are
Homeowners Selected").
Houses are built at low cost through donations of materials and through donations of labor (volunteers). Licensed professionals install major systems like the well, septic, dirt work, foundation, electrical wiring and plumbing at a discounted price, or occasionally as a donation. Then a site supervisor (professional builder) leads volunteers (professional and unskilled) in completing the rest of the home. In addition to recruited volunteers, Habitat homeowners are required to put in at least 500 "sweat equity hours" on the house or on a Habitat committee (if they are physically unable to work on the house). Most homeowners end up putting in MUCH more than the allotted 500 hours, and often serve as an inspiration for many volunteers. All these strategies help keep home costs much lower than traditional construction.
Currently, the average cost of a home in the Plymouth
area is $100,000-$120,000, depending on the size of the
home and the area (compare this to an average new single
family construction cost of $220,000). What makes
Habitat even more affordable is 1) the homeowner only
pays for the actual cost of the home and 2) the
homeowner receives a 0% interest mortgage with the
Habitat affiliate. Most homeowners end up paying less
for their house payment (mortgage, taxes, & insurance)
than they did for sub-standard rentals.
Homeowner mortgage payments are then used to help fund
the next Habitat home. Habitat homeowners are encouraged
to stay active with the affiliate (through work at the
site and committees) and most are MORE than happy to
help.
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