904.282.7590
cchh4@bellsouth.net
Revised 08/29/07 gw
 

Our Story
 
ª Our Story
      -Our Mission
      -What We've Done
      -What We'll Do
      -Board of Directors
      -The Staff
      -HFH International
ª Own a Home
ª Volunteers
ª Donors &
    Sponsors
ª Home
    Improvement
    Center
ª Faith
     Community
ª Events
ª Newsroom
ª FAQ
ª Contact Us
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
          " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
                    citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is
                               the only thing that ever has."
                                                                                            MARGARET MEAD


 
The overwhelming need for housing in Clay County has provided us with a unique opportunity to change lives in our neighborhoods.  In our market, Habitat for Humanity is one of the few affordable homeownership programs that serves families earning less than 50% of the median family income. Cost burden and overcrowding are the most serious problems experienced by very low-income area residents. In 2003 the National Low Income Housing Coalition reported that for the fifth consecutive year, no one making minimum wage anywhere in the United States could afford to rent a two-bedroom house.

Full time salary is $1,160.*

Fair market rent is $940.**

See any problem?

Working with volunteers, families, corporations, congregations, and donors we are able to tackle this important housing issue throughout the area. We are dedicated to making homeownership possible for low-income, working families.

We offer a hand up, not a hand out.  We do not give away our houses.  Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. We require our Habitat homeowners to invest 300-500 hours of "sweat equity" to help build their home and they must each qualify for the 0% interest  mortgage. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

With SHIP as a partner to CCHH, partner families become homeowners who pay property taxes, which benefits the county. For the homeowner, the accumulation of assets can be essential to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Assets at the individual family level - such as a home or an education - provide a way out of poverty because they are not simply consumed; they endure and can be passed on from generation to generation. When a family owns assets, it has the means to survive economic hardship today and provide security for tomorrow. Assets at the neighborhood level, such as permanently affordable housing or employment opportunities, are an essential part of strong and vibrant neighborhoods. As CCHH moves through the community, run down homes are replaced with appealing, quality CCHH homes that boost market values in the neighborhood.

Since 1977 we have built houses in neighborhoods throughout Clay County.  Shelter is a basic human need, and Habitat strives to achieve its goal of eliminating poverty housing and making decent, affordable homes a reality for all families.

*2006 SHIP County average median income.
**2006 HUD Fair market rent - 3 bdrm.