6.0. HRSR 06-24-2002 • / Item # 6
city of
Elk
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority ff
FROM: Heidi Hall, Economic Development Assistant
DATE: June 24, 2002
SUBJECT: Habitat for Humanity Community Research
Attachment
• Habitat for Humanity Information, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Web Site, 6-18-02
Issue
At the May 28, 2002 meeting, the HRA appointed Commissioner Lieser to the recently
formed Sherburne County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. The first habitat house
in Sherburne County will be built in Zimmerman.
Further interest in the Habitat for Humanity Program was recently expressed by the HRA.
Staff was directed to research the ways in which other communities have been involved and
assisted in financing Habitat for Humanity projects. Staff researched random communities
and organizations located in the Twin Cities Metro and Central MN that have partnered with
Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity does not accept government funding other than land development
assistance. There are various ways in which the following communities helped to finance
their Habitat project, the most common being through the usage of Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG) and the MN Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
through its HOME funds. The MHFA does not distribute funds to local governments;
rather the MHFA uses its HOME funds to directly fund participants in MHFA's programs.
Community Research
City of Richfield
Funding
• CDBG funds are almost always used
• Second and third options are the usage of MHFA and HOME funds
•
• Richfield's Process
• The City of Richfield is currently working on its seventh Habitat for Humanity house
since 1993.
• Substandard homes are acquired by voluntary sellers. Once the lot is cleared and the
site is prepared, the City donates the property as a second mortgage to Habitat for
Humanity.
• A community meeting is held in each neighborhood that a Habitat home is
constructed.
• There have been neighborhoods in high support of these projects and others
opposed. Educating people on the program usually helps smooth over the
opposition.
• Staff initiated the first project,however Hennepin County also has a market rate new
construction program and an affordable housing program.
City of Colombia Heights
Colombia Heights has participated in six or seven single-family projects. Planner Tim
Johnson expressed a high level of satisfaction with the Habitat for Humanity program.
Funding—Most Recent Project
• The City purchased a distressed property,which was originally zoned single-family
but was subdivided to create a twin home.
• • $20,000 city dollars
• $70,000 in HOME funds were used
• Habitat paid the difference
Funding—Past Project
• Tax forfeiture acquisition that the City bought and sold to Habitat
• CDBG funds were probably used to assist with this project but Mr.Johnson was
uncertain
Funding—Additional Projects
• Properties were purchased by Habitat directly and did not require a city subsidy or
other grant dollars.
City of Buffalo
Funding—First and only project thus far in Wright County
• HRA donated the SAC &WAC fees
• Building permit was donated by the City's building inspector,who is contracted out
Central MN Housing Partnership
General Comments
• The Central MN Housing Partnership does not work a lot with Habitat as Habitat's
programs are very specific and they also do not utilize any government funding
• (except land development assistance) for their projects which most of the Housing
Partnership's programs utilize.
• Most of the Habitat programs operate with the same principles such as no
government funding; sweat equity by the future homeowners and a lot of volunteer
labor and materials to keep the homes affordable.
• Most chapters have a pool of funds that they use on projects and these funds are
then revolved through the repayment of the loan from the homeowner. They would
also look to get donated labor and materials to keep the cost of the home low. Most
are pretty set on the number of homes they do per year and this varies by chapter.
Smaller chapters may only do 1 to 2 homes a year whereas the larger chapters may
do 10 or more.
• The Sherburne County chapter may have already tried to find a site in the City or will
look to the HRA to provide assistance in locating sites, etc.
• If you are looking at new single-family development,it is mainly gap financing which
is for the homeowner. This is done based on what their gap is between the cost of
the home and what they are eligible for a mortgage. The homeowners do not make
payments on this so it is not a second loan that they have to pay on but it is due
upon the sale of the home,which by that time they have gained enough equity to pay
the loan and also have funds for a down payment on a next house.
• There are other features as well that help fill the gaps. The basements are usually
unfinished and the homeowner does this to build equity,you also get into some of
the smart growth concepts such as smaller lot sizes, street widths, etc. There are also
other products out there that homeowners can tap into such as down payment and
closing cost assistance and lower rate mortgage products.
St. Cloud HRA
Seventeen deteriorated residential sites were acquired, cleared, and donated to Habitat for
Humanity for the building of single-family housing. Future plans are to assist Habitat in the
future as lots become available. The changing real estate market has made it very difficult to
find eligible properties that are not being absorbed by the market.
Funding— 17 projects
• CDBG and MHFA funds
Funding—Additional projects
• Two additional lots were purchased with Housing Authority funds for another
project that did not materialize and were sold to Habitat at a discounted price.
• The City of St. Cloud also awarded Habitat a site that had become available as excess
property in a street reconstruction.
North End Area Revitalization (NEAR),A Neighborhood Group in St. Paul
NEAR has completed 12 projects in partnership with Habitat in the last three years. They
are beginning a new project with Habitat to construct 10 single-family homes and
rehabilitate 3 additional homes in the organization's target area.
Funding—Recent Project
• • Construction financing from a local bank
• • Line-of-credit from the Twin Cities Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), see
below
• Personal equity
• Sales Tax Revitalization Program (STAR) funds, see below
• HRA grant ($250,000)
• MHFA grant ($200,000)
• Habitat donations
• Volunteer labor
Twin Cities LISC is a program area of The Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a nonprofit
intermediary that channels financial and technical support to community development corporations
(CDCs) throughout the country.The Twin Cities local office was opened in 1988, and has worked
for over a decade to revitalize struggling communities in and around Minneapolis &St.Paul.
What is the STAR Program?
The Minnesota State Legislature provided legislative authorization for the City of Saint Paul to levy
an additional 1/2 percent sales tax in May, 1993.
The authorizing legislation states that revenues may be used to pay all or a portion of the capital
expenses for expansion and remodeling of the Saint Paul Civic Center Complex.The remainder of
the funds must be spent for capital projects to further residential,cultural, commercial and economic
development in both Downtown Saint Paul and Saint Paul neighborhoods.
• In 1994, the City Council established the Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program,which includes
the Neighborhood STAR and Cultural STAR Programs,to distribute the remaining sales tax
proceeds.
City of New Brighton
Funding
• CDBG funds were used to assist with the utility connections of 5 new homes
• The City's role was minimal
City of Fridley
General Comments
Habitat purchased a home in Fridley in the late 80s or early 90s,which was rehabilitated and
then sold to a low-income family. The current appearance of the home is poor. Although
HRA Manager Grant Fernelius did not work for the City at that time, he suspects the project
was controversial and does not leave a very good impression of the program.
Community Concerns
• Ms. Graphenteen (Central MN Housing Partnership) sits on some committees with
the Brainerd and East Central chapters and feels that Habitat's biggest barrier seems
to be finding a site and a site that is affordable to make the project work. Also, the
only government funding accepted by Habitat is land development assistance.
• Executive Director of NEAR,Jonathon Sage-Martinson, feels that Habitat needs to
• work on their design issues to better incorporate their homes into existing
neighborhoods. He also feels that communities need to communicate their needs
• when working with Habitat. Each community is a partner with Habitat and partners
work together.
• The City of Buffalo was concerned about waiving fees due to whether or not it was
clearly for a public purpose and since they do not have an affordable housing policy
Staff Recommendation
There are many programs that communities use to address affordable housing, one of which
is the Habitat for Humanity program.
One of the most requested forms of assistance that Habitat programs make of local
governments is in identifying available lots. The City of Elk River does not track lot
availability. In addition,it is likely that any new single-family lots will be too expensive to fit
Habitat's budget.
Another common form of assistance has been identifying, acquiring, and demolishing a
blighted home and providing the lot to Habitat for the construction of a new home. In
order to provide this assistance, a funding source would need to be identified that could
cover initial costs and fund the gap.
Another issue would be the economies of scale with the level of funding needed and the
number of homes that can be assisted.
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Habifacts : Little Known
Facts & Common
Misconceptions
Who's Who?
Who started Habitat for Humanity? Many people think that Jimmy Carter founded
Habitat for Humanity. Although the former President is probably Habitat's most well-
known volunteer, he didn't start the organization. Habitat was started in 1976 by
Alabama lawyer and businessman Millard Fuller.
Habitat Homeowners & Their Homes
• Total amount of interest paid by Habitat homeowners on their mortgages: $0.
• Total number of Habitat homeowners who have gotten their houses for free:
0.
• The foreclosure rate on Twin Cities Habitat homes is less than 1%.
• In the US, the typical Habitat home is 1,000 square feet, with three
bedrooms, one bathroom, no basement, and no air conditioning.
• • It takes an average of 4,000 volunteer hours to build or rehab a Twin Cities
Habitat home.
The Numbers
• Habitat for Humanity works in all 50 US states and in 81 countries.
• Over 114,000 homes have been built by Habitat worldwide.
• Approximately one-third of all Habitat houses are built in the U.S.
• Habitat is the 15th largest homebuilder in the U.S. in units completed in 1999
according to Builder Magazine, May 2000 issue.
Housing Facts
• 5 million US households find it necessary to spend more than ha/f their pretax
income on shelter.
• 55,380 US residents were living in Habitat homes in 1996. Of this, 31,278
were under 18 years old.
• 15 million Americans are in need of subsidized housing because of their age,
income status, or disability. Of these, only 4.3 million have access to
subsidized housing.
• 185,000 Twin Cities households earn incomes below $30,000 and pay more
than 30% of their income for shelter.
• 50,000 Twin Cities suburban households earn incomes below $20,000 and
pay more than 30% of income for shelter.
• • 68,900 renters in the Twin Cities have incomes below $10,000. There are only
31,200 units affordable to these households.
• Twin Cities Habifacts
• A homeowner works between 300 and 500 sweat equity hours before moving
into a Twin Cities Habitat home.
• Twin Cities Habitat has built or rehab-ed 400 homes since 1985.
• The average monthly payment for a Twin Cities Habitat home, including
mortgage, insurance, taxes, and maintenance escrow is $450-$550.
• The estimated number of Habitat homes to be completed in the Twin Cities in
fiscal year 2001-02 is 69. By 2003, we plan to complete 80 homes per year.
• Twin Cities Habitat plans to construct 300 homes from 1998 - 2003.
• Nearly 2000 individuals were living in Twin Cities Habitat homes by the end of
2001
• More than 250 congregations currently partner with Twin Cities Habitat.
• Twin Cities Habitat is currently ranked among the top five U.S. Habitat
affiliates in number of homes built.
.1„ ` Did you know...The average cost to build a Habitat home in the United States in
4 ;
1, 1 2000, excluding and and permits, was $48,585.
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I Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention
■ Program
•
pita ,
About MFPP I Applying to MFPP I Other Organizations
About MFPP
Program Goals
• Stabilize households
• Stabilize neighborhoods
• Preserve public and private resources
History
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program was
established in July 1993. Keeping families in their homes is a perfect adjunct to
Habitat's traditional homeownership program. Our Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention
Program was taken from a concept originated at Northside Residents Redevelopment
Council (NRRC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota and developed, with funding from the
Family Housing Fund and Northwest Area Foundation. The program was piloted in St.
Paul, Minnesota, Iowa, Idaho and Oregon. As part of this pilot project in 1993 our
• program serviced an area in South Minneapolis in which foreclosures were rising
dramatically. In addition to families losing their homes, the possibility of horn es lying
vacant and being vandalized after foreclosure negatively impacted the larger
• community. In 1994 both Habitat and NRRC expanded their service areas to serve all
homeowners in Minneapolis, NRRC serving North and Northeast Minneapolis and
Habitat serving South and Southeast Minneapolis.
Today Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, NRRC, and Housing Information Center
continue cooperatively developing the program, under the auspices of the Home
Ownership Center www.hocmn.orq as fiscal administrator. The program operates
within a framework that provides customized services to meet the individual needs of
each applicant as well as respond to the ever-changing mortgage industry.
What we do
Twin Cities Habitat provides counseling, advocacy, referrals to additional resources
and, in some cases, financial assistance to families facing foreclosure. We work with
families who have or are in imminent danger of falling behind with their payments.
Together with the homeowner we analyze their situation, identify resources to
address the situation, develop a plan for addressing their individual issues and
identify their options for preventing the foreclosure of their property. We also
advocate with the mortgage company to determine whether the lender is willing to
extend some time or some assistance to help the family stay in their home. As a last
resort and when qualified, Twin Cities Habitat will provide a deferred loan to a family
if such funding is necessary to help this family correct their delinquency and prevent
the foreclosure.
Since 1993 Twin Cities Habitat has served nearly 2000 families facing the prospect of
foreclosure. We have found that preventing foreclosure and keeping families in their
homes is a much more cost effective way of meeting a family's housing needs than
allowing the foreclosure to happen, forcing a family out onto the street. It is a
program that also adds tremendous stability to neighborhoods. Once a foreclosure
• occurs, the house is typically boarded up and sits vacant for months, or even years.
On the other hand, if the foreclosure can be prevented, the house then remains
occupied and neighborhood stability is strengthened.
We also operate this program in a manner consistent with one of Habitat's core
principals. The deferred loan that Twin Cities Habitat provides to families as a last
resort and when qualified, is always a 0%-interest loan. Furthermore, when
payments are received from these loans, they are recycled back into the program,
allowing us to serve more families.
Research
The three Twin Cities MFPP sites contract with the Wilder Research Center to provide
ongoing data about the program services and outcomes. Research on the cost
effectiveness of foreclosure prevention has been conducted by the Family Housing
Fund. For details:
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/mfpcover.htm
Applying for MFPP
The Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP) is here to help homeowners
address the problems they are having making their mortgage payments. The MFPP
staff works with them to determine their immediate needs, and together develop a
plan to help meet those needs. The primary program services of MFPP include
information and referral services, financial management, and advocacy on the
applicant's behalf with lenders and/or mortgage company.
In order to be eligible for the program, the applicant must be a homeowner and
resident of South or Southeast Minneapolis. (South of a line drawn by Interstate 394
to Wayzata Boulevard to Hennepin Avenue.) In addition, they must be committed to
solving their financial problems with long-term solutions.
• What to expect from MFPP?
S • Straight talk. Sometimes the answers are hard and solutions mean lifestyle
changes.
• Review of the homeowner's whole financial picture based on income, bills,
and spending habits
• Guidance as the homeowner sorts through their financial issues and explores
solutions.
• Direction to other community resources that may be a part of the solution to
the financial situation.
• Information about the foreclosure process so that they understand what will
happen and when.
How does MFPP work?
1. First, the homeowner submits an application and the necessary
documentation.
2. The Foreclosure Prevention Counselor then contacts the mortgage company,
gathers information, and begins to develop a plan to address the issues at
hand.
3. The homeowner will meet with a program counselor to go over the application
in detail and continue the process of developing a plan to resolve the
delinquency. The homeowner and counselor will also go over the
homeowner's finances in depth. This includes looking at past months' income
and expenses and working together to develop a budget for the future.
4. After meeting with the program counselor the homeowner's file will go to the
• MFPP Review Committee. The Review Committee will evaluate the situation
and determine what options are available for bringing the client's mortgage
current. As a last resort, one option is a limited amount of financial
assistance. The Review Committee will determine if the client qualifies for
MFPP's financial assistance program. Financial assistance is in no way
promised or guaranteed.
The criteria that the Review Committee uses for evaluation are as follows:
• Commitment. Has the homeowner shown a commitment to staying in their
home by taking the necessary steps to address the problems?
• Affordability. Based on the budget prepared by the homeowner and
Financial Counselor, can the homeowner afford the house payment on a long-
term basis?
• Solvability. Would financial assistance be a long-term solution that will keep
the homeowner in the home?
• Reason for Default. What caused the delinquency? Has it been resolved?
• Other Relevant Information. Are there other issues or circumstances to be
considered?
If you have questions or would like to apply, please contact us at 612-331-4090
x689 or to have us contact you fill out this form.
List of organizations offering foreclosure prevention programs
South or Southeast Minneapolis
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
• 612-331-4090 x689
www.tchabitat.org
• North or Northeast Minneapolis
Northside Residents Redevelopment Council
612-335-5924
www.nrrc.orq_
St. Paul
St. Paul Housing Information Center
651-266-6000
http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/depts/hio
Suburban and outstate Minnesota
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
651-296-8215 or 1-800-710-8871
http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/homes/homes foreclosure.htm
A Did you know...The average cost to build a Habitat home in the United States
rush in 2000, excluding land and permits, was $48,585.
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indness
A Brush With Kindness
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is very proud to offer A Brush with Kindness to
homeowners and communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. A Brush with Kindness
program beautifully augments Twin Cities Habitat's traditional homebuilding work, by
providing an additional housing service to the wonderful neighborhoods and
outstanding families we are privileged to partner with.
Housing issues facing families and communities are varied and complex. Twin Cities
Habitat for Humanity is committed to responding to the housing needs of low-income
families in appropriate and creative ways. A Brush with Kindness is our latest effort
to put the enormous capacity of compassionate volunteers and very generous
donor's efforts toward improving the housing conditions of families and improving
the quality of life in our community.
Highlights
• A Brush with Kindness is a neighborhood outreach of Twin Cities Habitat for
Humanity that paints, landscapes, and does minor repairs to the
exterior of homes for low-income residents in a concentrated neighborhood
effort.
• A Brush with Kindness is for low-income homeowners and especially those
experiencing challenging circumstances such as age, disability, illness, or
single parent households
• A Brush with Kindness helps low-income homeowners spruce up their
property to remain living in a safe and affordable home.
• • A Brush with Kindness helps revitalize neighborhoods by concentrating
our work in small area to create a large impact.
• Volunteers provide this service at no cost to low-income homeowners. We
will have over 100 homes that need teams of volunteers to provide
work this summer.
• Homeowners along with all able-bodied residents work side by side
with volunteers.
• Our target neighborhoods for 2002 will include McKinley and Webber-
Camden neighborhoods in North Minneapolis. In South Minneapolis, we will
continue our work in the Midtown and West Phillips neighborhoods. In NE
Minneapolis, we will continue working in the Logan Park and Bottineau
neighborhoods and move into the Holland neighborhood. We will also
continue our work in the Payne/Phalen neighborhood and move into the
Aurora/St. Anthony neighborhood in St. Paul.
• A Brush with Kindness builds long-term partnerships with
neighborhoods and commits to for a period of 3-5 years and usually work
on 50 to 100 homes in a particular neighborhood.
• A Brush with Kindness is part of a collaborative effort of painting; repair and
home building that has the potential to make dramatic improvements on
neighborhoods that are in transition.
Did you know...Twin Cities rents increased an average of 11.5%in the first
three months of 2000 over the same period the year before, to an average
of$742. Minneapolis had the highest percentage increase at 20.4%; St.
TT Paul was second with a rise of 15.5%.
• }, Becoming a Habitat
t.
Homeowner
Who are Habitat Home Owners?
Since Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1985, nearly 400 families
have purchased Habitat homes throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding
suburbs. These families earn monthly gross incomes of approximately $1,300 to
$3,000, preventing them from obtaining traditional mortgages and greatly lessening
their chances of buying a home. Every family who buys a home from Twin Cities
Habitat invests 300-500 hours of "sweat equity," helping to build their own house
and/or other Habitat homes. Twin Cities Habitat then sells them a home at an
affordable price using zero interest mortgages. Monthly mortgage payments are
typically between $450 and $550 and do not exceed 30% of the family's income.
How Do I Become a Habitat Home Owner?
Candidates for Habitat home ownership must be able to answer "yes" to all of the
following:
• The place where I currently live is overcrowded
• The place where I currently live is run-down
• The place where I currently live is too expensive
• • The place where I currently live is temporary
• I have lived in the Twin Cities area for at least 1 year
• • I have not owned a home or any land in the past 3 years (if you own a trailer
home, you might still qualify)
• I have not filed for bankruptcy in the last year, or, if I filed in the previous 7
years, I have improved my spending habits
• I do not have more than $1,000 in collections, charged off credit accounts or
judgements against me ($2,000, if medical)
• I do h ave fiv e o r more d ifferent accounts in arrears, collection or
judgements
• My family is willing to put in 300-500 hours of work toward the construction
of Habitat homes (non-construction activities are available if you are unable
to do physical work)
• I will attend home buyer education classes
• No one in my household is or will ever be involved in criminal activity
• I am willing to learn as much as possible necessary to become a successful
home owner, and am ready to assume the responsibilities of home ownership
• My family's income meets the Habitat for Humanity income guidelines
• I want to become a part of the Habitat family, including being a positive
partner with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
2002 Income Guidelines (from all sources)
Family Minimum 1Maximum
Monthly Monthly Gross
Size y y
Gross Income Income
'1-2 1$1,290 $2,150
' 4110
3 $1,400 $2,420
14 $1,510 $2,690
15 $1,570 $2,900
16 $1,620 $3,120
7 $1,670 $3,330
8 $1,700 $3,550
19 $1,730 $3,760
110 $1,750 $3,980
Income guidelines are only TENTATIVE are subject to change.
How do I Apply?
The first step to becoming a Habitat homeowner is to attend a Home Buyer
Orientation. At this informational session you will find out all you need to know about
Habitat for Humanity's home ownership program and the next steps you will need to
take in order to fill out a home buyer application.
Our orientations are only offered during limited times of each year. If you are
interested in attending one, call our office at 612-331-4090 and give us your name
and address. You will be contacted about an upcoming orientation. The next
orientations will take place late in the fall of 2001 or early in the year 2002.
What Kind of Homes Does Twin Cities Habitat Build?
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity builds high quality homes in a variety of styles in
many Twin Cities communities, including both cities and suburbs. We rehab existing,
• or build new, single family homes in many city and suburban neighborhoods
throughout the Metro Area. Twin homes (two single-family units that share a wall)
and townhomes (multiple-unit, side-by-side homes) are quickly becoming one of our
• most popular home styles, though. Many home buyers are fortunate to enjoy the no-
maintenance feature of Habitat townhomes.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Supports Diversity
Habitat is firmly committed to being a just and richly diverse organization. We
therefore welcome applicants of every race, color, religion, gender, marital status,
national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation and
status with regard to public assistance.
What if I Have Credit Problems?
Habitat wants to sell homes to low-income families in need who have demonstrated
that they are able to handle their finances responsibly. If you have had problems
with finances in the past, that's okay, as long as you are currently making timely
payments on all debts and do not have an excessive amount of debt today. If you
are concerned about your debt, we recommend that you contact:
Organization Phone Who They Are
Consumer Credit 612-874- They are a nonprofit money management, budget
Counseling 8164 counseling and housing counseling service.
Services itilliliAlA
Family Service They provide credit counseling and hold workshops
Inc. and Credit 651-222- and follow-up counseling designed for low to
Counseling 0311 moderate income persons who would like to
•
become home owners.
? ! El
Did you know...More than 100,000 houses have been built by Habitat for Humanity in
-.c 82 countries around the world with plans to reach 200,000 homes by 2005.
�.x
,: 1 re. 4 Habitat Volunteering: Not Just
.= -`-t for Hard-hats!
Good with a hammer? Join a construction crew.
Barely recognize a hammer? Volunteer in our office, serve on a committee,
mentor a family, or participate in another non-construction role.
Got an extra hammer? Donate materials to Habitat.
Non-Construction Opportunities
Picture Habitat for Humanity. What do you think of? Most of us imagine saws,
sanding, shingles, and sheet rock. It's true that good old construction is the
• backbone of our mission. But hundreds of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's
volunteers never buckle on a tool belt! Our behind-the-scenes volunteers serve on
committees, help out in the warehouse, mentor families, and help out in our office.
• Home Visitor: This program offers a unique opportunity for volunteers who are
eager to get to know a Habitat family. Volunteers who own homes are needed to
visit with families during their first year of home ownership. Home Visitors help
families conduct seasonal maintenance checks for their home and serve as a
communication link between families and Habitat. Home Visitors commit to working
with a family for one year, meeting with them four times during the year (once per
season). Orientation for the position is provided.
Family Selection: These volunteers assist staff at homebuyer orientation sessions
held monthly and at application "open houses" to review apoplications held twice per
year. They interview Habitat applicants and help to determine whether or not they
are eligible for the homebuying program. Finally, they participate in occasional family
selection committee meetings to recommend most eligible families to the Family
Services Committee for selection. Time commitment: Approximately 5 - 8 hours per
month during the two busiest times of the year; other months 0 - 2 hours. Training
provided.
Other Non-Construction Activities:
• Hmong and Somali language interpretation
• Data entry
• Habitat Information table host at housing fairs, festivals, and other events
• Warehouse organization
Construction Opportunities
Individuals: Individual construction volunteers are needed on weekdays. Habitat
sites work Monday through Friday 8:30 - 4:30. We do not work on Saturdays in the
summer. You may make a commitment to work with a crew one day each week, or
you may choose to volunteer more sporadically.
Groups: Congregations, corporations, trade associations, civic organizations and
other groups are an integral part of Habitat construction. Working as a construction
crew is a great way to build teamwork and spirit within your group while contributing
to a family's and community's stability. Call 612-331-4090 extension 679 to learn
about the variety of ways your group can get involved.
Volunteer Orientation
Before you begin volunteering, we invite you to attend a volunteer orientation to
learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the variety of volunteer
opportunities. To learn more, call 612-331-4090 extension 614.
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