Compassionate Capitalism - March 2003

Habitat for Humanity:

Building Better Lives

by Tina Allen

Like many other homebuilders, Habitat for Humanity International uses hammers and nails to build houses. But instead of concrete foundations, this organization calls on the community to support the houses it builds. With the help of volunteers and donations, the non-profit group builds quality homes for those living in poverty and substandard housing. The organization was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976, and has since built and rehabilitated more than 125,000 houses in more than 80 countries.

Nevada has two chapters – one in Reno and another in Las Vegas. Both were chartered with Habitat for Humanity International in 1991 and have diligently worked to help provide comfortable housing for those who never dreamed home ownership was possible. Combined, they have built 55 houses, with more currently underway.

Christine Price, executive director of the Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity in Reno, said this year the Northern Nevada chapter is taking on its largest project to date: a development of 13 to 15 houses, ranging from three to five bedrooms. Groundbreaking is expected to begin in late spring, with completion of the project in four to five years.

"It’s a huge development for us," Price said. "The city of Reno was generous enough to donate all the land to us, and we are looking to different leaders in the community, businesses and individuals to help support the actual structure and infrastructure." Price said the chapter is hoping to raise $1 million this year to build the homes and is scheduling a number of fundraisers. So far, a dinner and auction is planned for June, and in September it will host a parking lot for patrons of a local air show. "We have great volunteers, we have families for the homes -- we just need the money to build," she said.

Price said potential homeowners are not given the houses built by Habitat. They are required to pay a 1 percent down payment, some of the closing costs and 500 hours of "sweat equity" in helping to build the house. Habitat then finances them with a no-interest, no-profit mortgage for an average of 20 to 30 years. The typical mortgage payment for a homeowner, including taxes and insurance, is about $400, which is half the median rent for the Reno/Sparks area. "They really have to participate in this," Price said. "It’s not a handout, it’s a hand up."

Susan Mackert, executive director of Las Vegas Habitat for Humanity, said the community has been generous in volunteering time to build homes. But she said, surprisingly, it has been difficult to find families in the Las Vegas area to occupy the Habitat homes. In fact, the group is currently in search of three families for the three homes under construction now.

"We are truly trying to find families who are living in substandard housing, and that’s a challenge," Mackert said. She said many who do apply are either over-qualified or have so many credit issues that Habitat is unable to work with them. To qualify, families must earn 50 percent or less of the area’s median income, guidelines that are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mackert said in Clark County that would translate to about $25,000 per year for a family of three.

Other critical needs for the Las Vegas chapter — which is working toward raising $500,000 this year — are land, financial resources, supplies and skilled construction volunteers to teach others and serve as team leaders. Mackert said for insurance reasons, volunteers must be at least 16 years old, or 14 if they are with a parent. "We have people come out and say, ‘I want to learn how to build a house.’ We love that and we teach them," Mackert said. "It’s really not as hard as you think."

Contact Information:

Habitat for Humanity International

Truckee Meadows Chapter

P.O. Box 3823
Reno, Nev. 89505

(775) 323-5511
e-mail: tmhh@aci.net

Las Vegas Chapter

1573 N. Decatur Blvd.

Las Vegas, Nev. 89108

(702) 638-6477, ext. 22

e-mail: hab4hum@anv.net

Tina Allen