Habitat for Humanity of Wake County has since 1985 joined with individuals and local organizations to build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with families living at poverty income levels who cannot qualify for mortgages at market rates. Habitat for Humanity helps people build and buy their own homes. It works by creating opportunity, not dependency.
The Habitat homeownership program – which includes hands-on home construction, affordable mortgages and classes to empower heads of households – creates stability for families. Explaining the stability of homeownership, John Cramer, president of the board of directors for Habitat Wake said: “The ‘need’ we’re answering is affordable housing, but the ‘dream’ being fulfilled is creating places for families to put down roots,” said John Cramer, president of the board of directors.
Habitat Wake serves all of Wake County and its 12 municipalities including Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon.
Qualified partner families make an investment of "sweat equity," helping to build their own Habitat home as well as Habitat homes of neighbors. The families then purchase the homes through no-profit mortgages provided by Habitat Wake. Habitat families enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of any other homeowners.
Through financial support of house sponsors and frequent donations of materials, the cost of Habitat homes can be minimized, so that the monthly mortgage payment for a Habitat home is manageable for a family that earns a low income. (As of summer 2007, the average monthly mortgage payment, which includes taxes and insurance, for a three-bedroom Habitat home in Wake County is $550.) The resulting cash flow from families' mortgages payments is returned as a "revolving fund" to build more Habitat homes in our community.
Additionally, a sustainable source of revenue for the mission of Habitat Wake comes from the Habitat Wake ReStore (formerly ReUse Center). Started in 1991, the ReStore collects new and used building materials from community donors as well as salvages materials through an innovative DeConstruction program. Proceeds from selling these building materials to the public at discounted prices support Habitat Wake’s day-to-day operations, making even more funds available for the construction of new Habitat homes. (This business model has environmental benefits, too. In fiscal year 2005-2006, the ReStore diverted more than 2,000 tons of reusable building materials from local landfills.)
Our mission: Habitat for Humanity of Wake County develops partnerships to build healthy, affordable homes with and for God's people in need, promotes self-reliance through homeownership, affirms the dignity of the family, and creates sustainable communities.
Our vision: Every family lives in a healthy home, in a peaceful neighborhood, in a sustainable, diverse, tolerant, and vibrant community.
Myths & Facts: Are Habitat houses built from one house plan? Are materials from the Habitat Wake ReStore used to build Habitat homes? This handout answers a few frequently asked questions.
Typical Homes
Habitat Wake has numerous professionally designed house plans. Staff select a suitable plan based on subdivision, lot size and shape, and household size. Habitat Wake house sizes range from 780 - 1,610 square feet. Depending on the household size, the home will have 2 – 6 bedrooms.
AmeriCorps
Since 2001, annual teams of AmeriCorps members have worked in leadership roles alongside staff, homeowners and volunteers to build 140+ homes. AmeriCorps members have a unique position at Habitat Wake; they are oftentimes the first contact that volunteers and homeowner families have with Habitat on the construction site. As a result, the bonds of friendship become strong.
Donate. Volunteer. Get Involved.
By construction standards, 300 homes in 22 years may not seem remarkable, but transforming the lives of 300 families – more than 1,000 adults and children right here in Wake County – is an amazing accomplishment. Because of generous community support, Habitat Wake has helped build a foundation for people in our community to grow from and to sustain them in hard times.
Donate
With your help, Habitat Wake gives people the opportunity to realize what they can achieve – all while building the hope of a better future for their families. If you would like to make a secure online donation (or review other ways to contribute), click here.
Volunteer
Work-site volunteers work alongside homeowners and Habitat staff to provide the labor for all carpentry, roofing, siding, interior trim, painting, and landscaping. If you prefer the indoors, you can greet customers, stock shelves or work on deconstruction project for the ReStore. To volunteer for these and other activities (office projects, events, committees) click here.
Habitour
Held the last Friday of every other month, Habitours are free one-hour gatherings. They include a bag lunch at the Habitat offices and a 10-minute video of homeowners telling how changing their living circumstances improved their outlook and their children's lives. Attendees shuttle by passenger van (loaned by a local church) to tour a Habitat house that is nearing completion. Sign up today to see and hear firsthand how volunteers and homeowners build Habitat houses.
