Who Qualifies for a Habitat Home? It is not easy!
Families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity. As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners. Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.
In addition, homeowners commit to a 25-year mortgage (with 0% interest rate). They DO pay a monthly mortgage for the value of the home – which then “pays it forward” to fund additional homeownership opportunities.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need.
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
This year, the homebuyers are the SMITH Family.
On December 16th of this year, we will start our sixteenth Habitat house for the Smith family in Gainesville. The Smith family moved from St Croix Virgin Islands to Cumming in 2019 after Hurricane Maria ravaged their home. Nykia, the mother of the family, felt alone and devastated dealing with the trauma of being displaced from their home, along with family and friends. In addition, she lost her father and cousin to COVID.
The relocation to Georgia was challenging. Nykia and her two daughters, Laneeka, 24, and Johnae, 20, moved to and from various apartments as she sought affordable housing. Through it all, Nykia never lost her will to succeed for her family. She currently works for Northside Hospital Forsyth as a Clinical Care Associate after earning a Medical Assistant degree.
Daughter Laneeka attends a program at Creative Enterprises in Cumming, which provides job placement as well as social and life skills for individuals with disabilities. Johnae is attending Lanier Technical College. Nykia, Laneeka, and Johnae enjoy attending bible study, working with youth groups, and doing missionary work. When not volunteering, all three enjoy baking and gardening.
Smith Family Build Schedule (pending final permitting)
register here: https://cerv.is/0251rStBrigid or use QR Code
| Date | Task | Volunteer Allotment# |
|---|---|---|
| 12-16-23 | Pre-build | 5 |
| 1-6-24 | First Nail | 4 |
| 1-13-24 | 2nd Fl Sys | 9 |
| 1-20-24 | 2nd Fl Walls | 7 |
| 2-10-24 | Siding | 7 |
| 2-17-24 | Siding / Paint | 7 |
| 2-24-24 | Siding / Paint | 7 |
| 3-2-24 | Inside Paint 1 | 7 |
| 3-9-24 | Inside Paint 2 | 9 |
| 3-16-24 | Pre- Landscape | 7 |
| 3-23-24 | Landscape | 11 |
| 4-13-24 | Dedication – | All Invited |
How do I donate to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore?
Habitat for Humanity ReStores is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Local ReStores are in Smyrna, Lawrenceville, and Gainesville. Use the following link to find a location near you: Habitat for Humanity ReStores. The ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Proceeds are used to build homes and improve communities locally and around the world. ReStores sells reusable and surplus building materials, furniture, and appliances to the public. To see accepted materials, contact your local Habitat ReStore.