Houston Habitat for Humanity Inc

Results: Over 37 years, Houston Habitat for Humanity built more than 1,200 homes in 15 Houston neighborhoods, including the Fifth Ward, Northeast Houston, and Southeast Houston. The organization has developed twelve new communities on raw tracts of land. All Houston Habitat homeowners have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the greater Houston area. This means earning $75,000 gross or less annually for a family of four. Many have young children and believe homeownership will help them secure brighter futures for their families. Some are seniors who never gave up on their lifelong dreams of homeownership. Nearly all are first-time homeowners.

Target demographics: We help families to have a decent, affordable home and build wealth through ownership

Direct beneficiaries per year: 1,636

Geographic areas served: The city of Houston and Harris County

Programs: Houston Habitat's core program goals are to make affordable homes available to low-income families through these programs: • Affordable Homeownership prepares potential homeowners with 6 - 12 months' instruction, including 50 hours of financial education and coaching, homeownership responsibilities, and home maintenance training. A "sweat equity" component of up to 100 hours requires participants to work alongside community volunteers, helping build 2, 3 and 4-bedroom single-family homes for themselves or others in the program. Clients also complete 50 hours of community giveback at our ReStore or another nonprofit organization. Upon completing the program, participants purchase their houses through affordable mortgages made available by Houston Habitat. • Affordable Home Repair preserves existing homes and supports new homeownership for low-income individuals and families. The program slows gentrification for at least a generation, preserving homes that would have been torn down and replaced with new houses too expensive for existing community residents. • Neighborhood Revitalization establishes Houston Habitat partnerships with community residents, leaders, and organizations to improve the lives of residents of underserved neighborhoods. These projects address neighborhood concerns, increase financial stability, allow individuals to age in their homes safely, and improve health and quality of life. • Community Development creates new neighborhoods like Robins Landing, a 127-acre Houston Habitat community currently under construction. The development includes safe and affordable housing that provides residents access to essential services while reinforcing social connections, financial stability, economic development, and healthy, active lifestyles. This project is creating 468 single-family homes and up to 500 multi-family units for individuals and families.