Wrapping Up 2008, Looking Forward to 20092008 was an amazing year for Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County! It began with the planning of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, and ended with the dedication of all 30 houses included in that project, as well as 13 additional houses to finish out the year with a total of 43. What does all this mean? More families are now in safe, decent, affordable housing, and are taking the opportunity to make their lives better. That’s what it’s all about for us. In this e-newsletter, we will recap the highlights of 2008 and give you a glimpse of what’s in store for 2009. It’s going to be another exciting year!
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project
From beginning to end, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project was an exciting event for Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County! In December, we dedicated all 30 houses that were part of the project, including a huge, 10-house dedication in the Hillsdale neighborhood. This was a special moment for our families and staff as we gathered in the cul-de-sac and celebrated the completion of this long project. Two major sponsors of the event were on hand to celebrate with the families, The Salvation Army and Lowe’s Home Improvement Center. It was a great day for everyone involved!
Senior Women Build Has a Successful KickoffWe kicked off the first-ever Senior Women Build - one home built by 100 women over 50 in 100 days - in November and these women are still going strong! As of the beginning of January, we are working on interior work such as painting, floors, cabinets, etc. This project is ongoing until February, so if you haven’t worked on it and you are part of our senior women demographic, please give us a call! Women who are not in the correct age range can work on the house too, just call someone who is 50 or over to come out with you!
Looking For Families to Qualify for HomeownershipFamilies are selected on the basis of need, willingness to partner, and the ability to repay a no-interest mortgage.
Requirements for a Free Application:
• Current housing is inadequate due to problems with heating, water, electricity, plumbing or general disrepair, or the current home is overcrowded due to number of family members living in the home, or the rent is high.
• Unable to get a conventional loan for a home mortgage.
• Willing and able to provide 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” working on a Habitat house that is currently under construction as well as your own house.
• Able to pay approximately $350.00 per month on a 20-year mortgage. (example: for a 3-bedroom house)
• Able to make a $500.00 cash down payment upon final approval.
• Family is within the HUD guidelines 35% - 80% of the area median low income range.
February Orientation Dates
Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6 pm
Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m.
Orientation is held at the Habitat Home Improvement Center, which is located at 4128 Government Blvd in Mobile. Come learn more about the program and how a family can qualify. If you know of someone who might be interested, they can attend with no obligation. If they want to complete a free application, they need the following:
• proof of income
• all credit information
• bank information
• last tax return
• monthly bills
• lease agreement or rent receipt
• amount of insurance payments
• name, address & phone number of employer and landlord
Volunteers Needed for 2009!Are you looking for something to do during Spring Break? Summer vacation? Weekdays or weekends any time of the year? Come volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County! If you and/or your group want to come in from out of town, give us a call and we will help arrange things. If you are local and just want to help out, let us know and we can tell you where we are working and when! Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is one of the most exciting, educational and rewarding things you can do! No experience necessary, volunteers of all skill levels are welcome!
Second Saturday Singles BuildKicks Off on Valentine’s Day
New Year’s Resolution: Meet new people.
New Year’s Resolution: Get involved with the community.
Habitat for Humanity can help with both of those resolutions and more! On February 14, 2009, better known as Valentine’s Day, you can meet up with singles from across Mobile and Baldwin counties to help build a house in partnership with a family in need.
“If you’re like most singles I know, you might spend Valentine’s Day at home alone to avoid all the happy couples in restaurants and at the movies,” Anita Havel, Resource Development Manager of Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County, said. “But if you would rather do something productive with that alone time, come out to our work site and meet other singles who are interested in helping the community.”
We will work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but you can do the morning shift, the afternoon shift, or all day. Lunch will be provided.
Search for us on MySpace and Facebook for more information, or just call the office and we will give you all the details and sign you up!
Donate to Habitat in 2009 to Help More Families
Mortgage meltdown, credit crisis, an economy in ruins - and who suffers the most? The people who were already struggling. Our families work hard, sometimes they hold down more than one job and then have duties at home such as making dinner, helping children with homework, and running the household, sometimes as the only adult. People in these situations struggle to keep their head above water in the best of times, but now that we are seeing the worst, they are suffering even more. So many of our 2006-2008 homeowners were doing fine until Hurricane Katrina, and some of our new families were hit by the current economic disaster. One way or another, these families must receive some kind of help to get back on their feet. And that’s where we come in, and where you come in too! Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County is dedicated to helping these families at the fastest pace that we can while maintaining quality and a great worksite experience for our volunteers, as well as an educational experience for our homeowners. For instance, after they are qualified, prospective homeowners must work on someone else’s house and then their own house, putting in over 300 hours of “sweat equity” into the program before they can move into their home. The children even get an opportunity to help by getting good grades in school! If you would like to donate to Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County and help a family in Mobile realize their dream of homeownership, please contact Anita Havel at habitatanita@bellsouth.net.
.jpg)