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Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. Our mission is founded on the conviction that every family should have the opportunity to own a basic, decent home in which to live in dignity and safety. We partner with the community and families to create affordable housing and help develop responsible homeowners and successful neighborhoods.
Thank You for Helping Us Change lives!
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable 0% interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest 350 hours of their own labor — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable 0% interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest 350 hours of their own labor — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
How are the partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate’s family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate’s family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
What does a Habitat house cost?
Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as $800 in some developing countries to an average of nearly $60,000 in the United States.
Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price. Mortgage length is 30 years.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BUILD A HABITAT HOUSE?
Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as $800 in some developing countries to an average of nearly $60,000 in the United States.
Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price. Mortgage length is 30 years.
Why is Homeownership so important?
Statistics show that children raised in a home owned by their parents are:
· 40% less likely to give birth as an unmarried teenager
· 50% less likely to be idle at age 20 and receive welfare as an adult
· 25% more likely to graduate from high school
· 62% more likely to acquire a post-secondary education
than children from the same socioeconomic background whose parents rent.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BUILD A HABITAT HOUSE?
Average 1120 Sq Feet- three bedrooms
Land & Development $8,300
Permit Fees $6,100
Slab Foundation, Driveway, Sidewalk $6,220
Framing Package, Shed & Fence $6,250
Sheathing, Insulation, Siding $3,160
Windows $510
Doors $950
Roof, Decking, Shingles $1,980
Electrical $1,765
Light Fixtures $680
Plumbing $3,750
HVAC System $2,750
Drywall $3,200
Cabinets $1,330
Interior Trim & Fixtures $740
Tile $675
Carpet $1,060
House Numbers, Mail Box, Shutters $120
Paint, Caulk, and Putty $520
TOTAL $50,060
Habitat and St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius has been working with Habitat for over 10 years. The past several years, St. Ignatius has been getting more involved, participating in their first Faith Build in 2006, when we worked with 7 other area churches to build a home for a single mom and her children.
In 2007, St. Ignatius participated in four builds:
· the Youth Build- a home built entirely with youth age 14-25
· the Woman Build- a house built entirely by women
· and the Faith House- a home built in partnership with several other churches.
· The clergy build– where the church staff built as a team
2008 and 2009 we particilated in the Catholic Build, where we worked with other local Catholic Churches to build a house with neighbors in need.
2008 and 2009 we particilated in the Catholic Build, where we worked with other local Catholic Churches to build a house with neighbors in need.