Habitat For Humanity International Inc

Programs: Truman heritage habitat for humanity (thhfh) is an affiliate of habitat for humanity international and has served eastern jackson county, missouri since 1989. We operate independently of habitat for humanity international and are responsible for raising our own funds to serve our community. The number of projects completed each year is directly dependent upon funds raised. As with all habitat affiliates, thhfh provides financial resources to habitat international in the form of a tithe to support housing construction efforts in poorer areas of the world. Thhfh's support is pledged to disaster relief. Thhfh's neighborhood revitalization efforts are focused on the mt. Washington area of independence, missouri and involve a coordinated effort by our affiliate, the city of independence, independence school district, and area non-profits and churches to help sustain and reinvigorate houses, public areas, and families living in this neighborhood. Thhfh's program focuses on addressing the housing needs of low-income families through a coordinated set of services that revolve around creating and preserving home ownership for low-income residents in our community. Creating homeownershipthhfh creates affordable home ownership for families by matching sites with qualified, low-income families who have a strong inclination to become homeowners and improve the physical and emotional stability of their families. Since inception, thhfh has built or renovated approximately 75 homes. In the last fiscal year, we completed two substantial rehab projects. We build safe, decent, affordable houses using a combination of our small construction staff, licensed subcontractors, and volunteers. Our volunteers are the primary reason our construction costs are low. In the last fiscal year, 540 volunteers contributed 6,358 hours toward our new/rehab construction projects. Preserving homeownershipthhfh preserves homeownership by providing two programs that enable existing homeowners in the community to remain in their homes. Our home preservation program provides exterior painting, landscaping, repairs and roof replacement to qualifying low-income homeowners who are struggling to maintain their homes. Our weatherization program focuses on replacing outdated hvac equipment with energy efficient equipment as well as improving insulation. Since these programs began in 2015, we have completed 120 projects. In the last fiscal year, 151 volunteers contributed 902 hours toward 33 home preservation projects. Financing homeownershiplong-term mortgage financing is a key component that makes thhfh homes affordable. Thhfh is the mortgage holder for our home buyers, who have 20- to 30-year, zero percent interest loans with our affiliate and make monthly mortgage payments. Mortgages are calculated to ensure that home buyers pay no more than 30% of their monthly income toward housing costs. The principal portion of the mortgage payments supports building additional homes. Families who receive home repair services also have small loans with thhfh and make monthly payments. These small loans can be up to seven years; the key is to calculate a monthly payment that keeps the homeowners' housing cost within 30% of their monthly income. All homeowners who receive services from thhfh are required to contribute sweat equity hours to support the construction/repair of their home or that of another habitat homeowner. Families who are purchasing new/rehabbed homes must complete 350 hours of sweat equity before they can close on their home. Homeowners who are receiving home repair or weatherization services must complete sweat equity hours that are commensurate with the cost of the project. Thhfh also provides financial literacy counseling to enable families to become successful homeowners. Resources include teaching and training on household budgeting, managing credit, establishing savings accounts, and home maintenance. Financial literacy counseling is mandatory for habitat home buyers. The training is also available to anyone in the community who is interested in improving their financial situation.

thhfh operates two restores that sell donated home goods including building materials, furniture, appliances, flooring materials, tools, etc. Income from restore sales help fund our mission. Volunteers are a vital source of staffing for our restores. In the last fiscal year, 165 volunteers contributed 8,873 hours of assistance. In addition to providing much-needed revenue for our affiliate, the restores have an environmental impact by diverting resalable items from landfills. Since opening in 2013, the restores have diverted more than 2,000 tons of solid waste from local landfills.