Houston Habitat For Humanity Opens Door to Homeownership for Harvey-Impacted Houstonians
Nonprofit amends its policy in response to thousands of Houstonians still recovering from the hurricane
HOUSTON, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With $125 billion in damage, 88 lives lost, 12,700 homes destroyed and 130,000 in need of repair, Houstonians continue to face a long road to recovery as the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey nears.
Houston Habitat for Humanity is giving a hand up to Harvey-impacted residents by changing its policy so more Houstonians can qualify for its program. The Houston Habitat board recently voted to waive the requirement that applicants be first-time homebuyers through 2019.
"On top of a mounting affordable housing crisis, thousands of Houston-area residents still don't have a place to call home, or they are faced with lengthy, expensive home repairs," said HHFH Executive Director Allison Hay. "Through our ongoing recovery efforts, we see Harvey's destruction and continued devastation every day. Now, more than ever, our program is essential to provide our neighbors with the safe, affordable housing they need."
Houston was one of the most severe metropolitan areas in the country before the hurricane when it came to affordable housing shortages. The affordable housing crisis, a result of stagnant incomes and rising housing prices, has worsened in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
"As we continue to rebuild and revitalize, it's apparent there's work left to be done to help Houston communities recover from Hurricane Harvey," said HHFH Board Chair Sherman Lewis. "Our moral responsibility as an organization is to do everything we can to empower Houstonians to build homes, communities and hope."
The requirements applicants must meet to qualify for a HHFH home include the following:
- Applicant was economically impacted by Hurricane Harvey (i.e., home or car damage, loss of job, etc.).
- Applicant must earn 50-80% of the area median income for Houston, Texas, as determined by United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
- Applicant family agrees to perform up to 250 hours of "sweat equity," including home financial counseling, home management, maintenance training and helping build their home.
- Applicant must have the ability to make their monthly mortgage payments and have a satisfactory credit score.
For more information, including a list of qualifications and to apply, visit houstonhabitat.org.
About Houston Habitat for Humanity
Since 1987, individuals, businesses and groups in our community have joined Houston Habitat for Humanity (HHFH) to build or improve a place people call home. Through shelter, we empower people to build a better future for themselves and their families by completing financial and home maintenance training, building homes alongside volunteers and by purchasing an affordable mortgage. With this hand up, they achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better futures. To learn more about HHFH and the Houston Habitat ReStore – a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center open to the public – go to www.houstonhabitat.org or call 713-671-9993. HHFH is a tax-exempt 501(C) (3) nonprofit organization.
Media Contact:
Ron Reynolds
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832-940-7268
SOURCE Houston Habitat for Humanity
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