I have known of Habitat for a very long time, but only recently signed up to work for it as a volunteer. It starts off with an orientation by which you learn about the importance of housing for creating healthy families and safe communities, and then about how Habitat helps low income families learn about home-ownership, maintenance, and financing; has them work on helping to build Habitat homes for others (sweat equity); and then offers them no-interest mortgages, allowing them to vest their equity in the home after a minimum number of years while retaining a right of first refusal so that they can keep the house available for low-income families when one moves away. SInce orientation, I have worked at five different job sites in a variety of construction roles - working along side of professionals, Americorps volunteers, college students - all diverse, all interesting, all great teammates. Soon I will be able to attend the ribbon-cutting for a family that will be moving into their first home - and a new future - that I helped create. It's pretty powerful stuff - all quarterbacked by a passionate staff who are always excited about their work. A terrific experience. Try it!
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- EIN 42-1580163
- 215 765 6000
- 1829 North 19th Street Philadelphia PA 19121 USA
- www.habitatphiladelphia.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Mission: Habitat Philadelphia's mission is to transform lives and our city by building and repairing quality homes in partnership with families in need, and uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing.
Results: In the past 27 years, we have helped over 160 hard-working Philadelphia families achieve homeownership for the first time in their lives.
Target demographics: We target families who qualify as low-income (earning between 30 and 60% of the local median income) and who are willing to partner with Habitat Philadelphia to complete 350 hours of sweat equity work, which qualifies the family to purchase a Habitat house with a zero-interest mortgage and no down payment.
Geographic areas served: Philadelphia County
Programs: We provide a homeownership program for low-income families, in which families commit to working 350 hours of "sweat equity" on our construction sites, and in turn qualify for a no-interest mortgage on a Habitat home, with no down payment.