Report to the Community 2006-2007
Joint Message from Leadership
As we watched the new home of Habitat Wake being built this year, the solid concrete walls became a symbol of our commitment to serve the people of Wake County. With reduced overhead costs, this purpose-built facility will enable us to better carry out our mission while achieving aggressive goals set in response to our community's rapid growth and increasing need for affordable housing.
In this Report to the Community for 2006-2007, Habitat Wake extends a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, donors, sponsors, grant providers, shoppers and friends whose resources led to homeownership for neighbors in need. This was a year of special celebration as our 300th homeowner settled in with her family. Through our tradition of tithing to Habitat International, we funded our 133rd home built globally since 1986. Habitat Wake supporters make these accomplishments possible. Stories shared in this report express the impact we have when, together, we address the need for affordable housing as a matter of conscious and faith. Thank you for your sustaining gifts! Building hope and building community, John L. Cramer, President of the Board of Directors & Woody H. Yates, Executive Director/CEO (staff)Gifts of Time and Resources Ensure Affordable Homes
In general, a home is considered affordable if the total cost to own is less than 30% of a household's income. To meet this goal for families in our community, Habitat Wake partners with donors and volunteers to save thousands of dollars on labor and to pay for building materials.
Dynamic partnerships between homeowners, volunteers, donors and house sponsors are seen most vividly during the usual 20-week home construction period. As homeowners put in their "sweat equity" to build their houses and the houses of their neighbors, they construct alongside caring people who provide their time and energy in the spirit of building communities for all.
- A Habitat home in Wake County takes 2,437 ½ volunteer hours to build in 20 weeks. Volunteers frame, install siding, construct porches and paint Habitat homes under the guidance of staff and other experienced volunteers.
Donors
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County gratefully acknowledges donors whose gifts were received July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007. For privacy reasons, the online version does not list our donors.
For fiscal year 2006-2007, Habitat Wake received $2,421,100 in new gifts and pledges. We are grateful for this generous support of the mission to build safe, decent, and affordable housing in our community. A pie chart in the Report to the Community 2006-2007 shows the source of these charitable gifts and pledges from individuals (29%), corporations (34%), organizations (15%), faith groups (11%) and foundations (11%). . Upon request, Habitat Wake will provide a copy of the complete independent auditor's report for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.
Highlights
Highlights of affiliate activities July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007:
- Habitat Wake's ReStore and DeCon program generated nearly $350,000 in support of Habitat's homeownership program-the single largest income source.
- The Stewards Fund challenge grant of $165,000 was met, inspiring donors to give new and increased gifts.
- 92 prospective homeowners attended eight information sessions held at Habitat Wake. Additionally, Habitat Wake began an outreach program to provide homeownership information sessions at businesses throughout the Wake County.
- Supporters dedicated homes in Cary, Garner and Raleigh.
- 3,602 volunteers contributed 31,926 hours building homes alongside future homeowners. Throughout the year Habitat Wake had up to 11 homes under construction at any one time.
- 1,090 volunteers contributed 7,950 hours using crowbars and other tools to harvest usable building materials from local homes being deconstructed and convert the materials into inventory for the ReStore. DeConstruction staff and volunteers performed 34 strip outs and 12 full deconstructions.
- 325 volunteers contributed 4,902 hours unloading donated building materials and loading purchases at receiving docks at the ReStore.
- The NC Department of Energy and Natural Resources provided funding for costly warehouse racking and a skidsteer.
- The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation provided a grant to purchase store signage and a box truck. For the six months after the purchase of the box truck, ReStore pickup increased by 40%.
- Caterpillar provided funding for a skid steer for the ReStore's DeConstruction program.
- Wells Fargo provided a grant to purchase new office computers for volunteers and staff.
- Through ReStore sales, our DeCon program and ReStore pickups, Habitat Wake diverted 2,500 tons of materials from landfills.
- 3,000+ lbs. of aluminum cans were recycled via the Cans for Habitat program.
- 30 tons of scrap metal, glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and office paper were recycled.
Report to the Community 2005-2006
Joint Message from Leadership
The Report to the Community for 2005-2006 reflects a shared mission to build decent, affordable homes with and for God's people in need. Habitat for Humanity of Wake County joined with a multitude of partners-donors, volunteers, municipalities, and others-to work side-by-side with 40 local families who enjoy the advantages of homeownership.
Studies indicate that the benefits of homeownership are great: improved self-esteem, increased likelihood of success in school for children, and stronger families. Together with our community partners, we are helping families and children achieve their potential.
Beyond construction, Habitat Wake goes the extra mile to ensure the long-term viability of the homes. We work with talented architects to design high-quality homes that add value to neighborhoods. And, the houses are built according to Advanced Energy's® SystemVision® standards, guaranteeing homeowners low-cost heating and cooling bills.
This year, the ReStore (formerly ReUse Center)-our innovative retail store that collects new and used building materials from community donors as well as salvages materials through its DeConstruction program-posted an increase of 22% in revenue from sales. Proceeds from the ReStore 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. This year, the ReStore diverted more than 2,000 tons of reusable building materials from local landfills. We are pleased that the ReStore, with its strong reputation for excellence, has become a sustainable source of revenue for the mission of Habitat Wake.
As you read the facts and figures in this report, we hope you will remember who this ministry is all about - working families in need of an opportunity to become first-time homeowners. Sylvester and Claudia Davis, homeowners who paid off their mortgage this year, are just one example of dreams coming true through Habitat Wake. The Davises accomplished their goal of owning their house before Sylvester retired. And while building their future, they raised two daughters in a thriving environment. Today, one daughter lives in Raleigh with her family and their other daughter is working on an advanced degree.
Thank you for sharing in the Habitat mission to affirm families like the Davises. Together, we are changing lives in Wake County. John L. Cramer, President of the Board of Directors & Woody H. Yates, Executive Director (staff)
Building Hope
Everything that volunteers, sponsors, grant providers and staff do-from constructing homes to running the Habitat Wake ReStore and its DeConstruction Program-and all the special events and fundraising efforts are intended to help families become homeowners so that they may benefit from the stability of living in a safe, affordable home in Wake County. Construction activities July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006:
Highlights
Highlights of affiliate activities July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006:
- Safe, decent, affordable homes were built for forty families.
- One family completely paid off their mortgage.
- 594 groups and 8,043 individuals volunteered.
- 15-year-old ReStore (formerly ReUse Center) topped more than $1 million in gross revenue.
- $3,599,692 was received in public support.
- The Stewards Fund challenge grant of $150,000 was met, inspiring donors to give new and increased gifts.
- During the first nationwide Home Builders Blitz, modeled after the Habitat Wake program led by board member Tom Gipson, 130 Habitat affiliates built 440 homes across the country in one week in June.
- DeConstruction staff and volunteers performed 60 partial stripouts and 10 full deconstructions.
- The ReStore diverted more than 2,000 tons of reusable building materials from local landfills and recycled roughly 45 tons of cardboard, glass, metal and aluminum cans.
- The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation helped fund a truck to expand the ReStore's pickup service.
- The 5th Annual Habitat Holiday Home Tour, where the Davis family ceremonially burned their mortgage, raised $225,000.
- Carolina Recycling Association recognized our DeConstruction program with their Brightest Emerging Program award for success in salvaging structurally-sound building materials from homes slated for remodeling or demolition.
- The Board of Directors approved plans for a new warehouse and office facility for Habitat Wake and the ReStore.
- Wake County Solid Waste awarded a grant to use recycled materials in the construction of our future facility on N. Raleigh Boulevard.
Donors
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County gratefully acknowledges donors whose gifts were received July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006. For privacy reasons, the online version does not list our donors.
For fiscal year 2005-2006, Habitat Wake received $1,748,305 in contributions. We are grateful for this generous support of the mission to build safe, decent, and affordable housing in our community. A pie chart in the Report to the Community 2005-2006 shows the source of these gifts and pledges. Upon request, Habitat Wake will provide a copy of the complete independent auditor's report for Fiscal Year 2005-2006.
