FAQs
What are the origins of Alachua Habitat for Humanity?
Alachua Habitat is one of over 1,900 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical ministry based on Christian principles. Incorporated in 1986, construction on the first home began in 1988.
How many houses have been built?
As of January 1, 2009, Alachua Habitat has completed 102 houses. The organization has been building throughout Alachua County for more than 20 years, and in December 2003, groundbreaking took place for Celebration Oaks, a 30-home Habitat community in southeast Gainesville off Hawthorne Road. Currently, work is being completed on the 29th house, and Habitat hopes to complete Phase I (30 houses) by the end of this year.
How are homes financed?
Generous individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups donate money, materials and labor for house construction. Homeowners purchase their home through a no-interest, 20 – 30 year loan, with a $750 down payment. Mortgage payments are recycled to build more houses for very low-income families who cannot afford conventional financing.
How are families chosen and what is their partnership with Habitat?
Interested families submit an application to the Family Selection Committee, which examines the need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to be a partner. Families are expected to contribute 200 hours of “sweat equity” on construction of the homes of others before they are fully approved to begin building their own home. They then spend at least 200 hours on construction of their own home. Partnership is the key to building strong relationships between persons who might otherwise be isolated from each other. Shelter is a necessity, but relationships are what are important. Persons on the Family Support Committee act as friends, helpers, listeners, and sometimes advocates for the family. Families are chosen without regard to race or religion.
What is a house sponsor?
Churches, businesses, civic groups, or groups of individuals can underwrite and build a house. The Crom Corporation, Nationwide Insurance, HRH Willis, Barnett Bank, Scotty’s and Home Depot have all been corporate sponsors. First Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist, a coalition of Presbyterian and Christian churches, University and Gethsemane Lutheran, churches in High Springs, United Church of Gainesville, First Lutheran, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and a coalition of Catholic churches have also built homes with funds they have raised. The Gainesville Junior Women’s Club, the Home Builders Association and the Gainesville Rotary Club are civic and professional groups that have sponsored houses.
How is the government involved?
Government funds and assistance are accepted for construction, for purchase of land and for infrastructure, such as utility hook ups, land improvement, roads and sidewalks. In the past, the City of Gainesville has been supportive in providing such funding, the most notable instance being a cul-de-sac on “Partnership Acres,” a five-house subdivision located on the 600 block of NW 12th Street. Alachua County and the City of High Springs have both been involved in helping Habitat obtain the necessary lots and permits to build.
Federal HOME program funds, Downtown Redevelopment Agency funds and Community Development Block Grant funds have also been used for land acquisition or setting the scene for construction. Alachua Habitat also continues to work with The Alachua County SHIP program, which has provided grant funding for the development of the infrastructure at Celebration Oaks and for the construction of some of our houses.
Alachua Habitat is currently raising funds to start work on the new house in High Springs.
Who controls and manages Alachua Habitat for Humanity?
An ecumenical board of 20 members meets monthly to monitor operations and determine policy. Board members work on specialized committees with other volunteers to handle tasks such as family selection, resource development, construction, publicity, etc. The Executive Committee meets semi-monthly to deal with current issues. A full-time Executive Director is employed to oversee and coordinate daily operations.
The Emeritus Board consists of long time volunteers who continue to donate their time and talents on an as needed basis.
How is Alachua Habitat involved in Habitat’s international mission?
. Alachua Habitat supports Habitat for Humanity International’s tithing program and donates money that is used specifically to build homes in third world countries. To date, Alachua Habitat has built 61 houses in the third-world.
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