Waterloo Catholics


Habitat for Humanity
 

 

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What is Habitat for Humanity?
Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
How Does It Work?
How Are Partner-Families Chosen?
Home Ownership
How You Can Get Involved
For More Information


Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer Opportunities

Sponsored by the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
in cooperation with Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

____________________________________________________________________

NEXT HABITAT SATURDAY:

Saturday, June 14, 2008
9:00am-3:00pm

(Watch this space for location and volunteer needs) ____________________________________________________________________
 

    The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo work with Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity  to build new homes with needy families in our community.  We need men ... women ... young adults ... seniors ... anyone willing to spend a day or part of a day helping needy families construct or finish a new home.

    You don't need experience, expertise or equipment ... Habitat for Humanity supplies everything.  All you need is a willingness to share your time and talent with others. 

Opportunities to Volunteer Available

...on the second Saturday of every month
(9:00am to 3:00pm 
Includes lunch)
...on Tuesdays during the week
(8:30am to 3:00pm)

Join a Volunteer Team from your Parish
Contact the Habitat Coordinator in your parish:

            Blessed Sacrament Parish                  Queen of Peace Parish
       
    Mike Schreck                                    Ken Foss
            319-268-1125                                      319-230-0604

          
 Sacred Heart Parish                            St. Edward Parish
            Dave Cushing                                   John Baker
            319-233-2874                                     319-235-9816

____________________________________________________________________


W
hat is Habitat for Humanity?

    Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization which is dedicated to building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

    Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 280,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda.
 

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

    Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity has been building or rehabbing homes since 1990, building in our designated service area of Black Hawk and Bremer Counties. We currently have mortgage assets of more than $2 million.

    Our five-year Strategic Plan is to consistently build ten homes per year by 2009 and to serve close to 100 families. A Board of Directors of twelve or more local community volunteers meets regularly to oversee the governance of the organization. Currently five paid staff work to manage the operations and the 7 – 10 volunteer program teams that are actively involved with the local mission of Habitat for Humanity.


How Does It Work?

     Through volunteer labor from local individuals, crews and partner families; generous donations of money and materials from local individuals, churches, businesses and organizations; and the monthly mortgage payments from Habitat homes; Habitat for Humanity builds new homes on vacant lots and rehabilitates older homes into simple, affordable homes for qualified Habitat families.  The homes are sold to the families with a zero interest mortgage (no profit to the Habitat for Humanity affiliate) that is no more than 30 percent of their annual income. A Second Mortgage on the home insures that the family will not sell the home for a profit or immediately secure a home equity loan on their new home.

    Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is the bank, receives the mortgage payments and keeps record of principal and escrow accounts for each of the mortgages.  Currently, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity homes are costing on average $65 - $78,000 depending on the number of bedrooms the family needs and the cost of materials.  Habitat families pay for their homes and must work at least 300 "sweat equity" hours on helping to build their own homes and on other Habitat projects.  Families must also complete classes in financial and budget training, in home ownership and in being a good neighbor. The time from application to move in is about 18 to 24 months.
 

How Are Partner-Families Chosen?

    Habitat for Humanity is unique because families are pre-approved for Habitat housing. Families fill out an application and a volunteer Family Selection Team qualifies the homeowners based on:

  • Their level of housing need

  • Willingness to become partners and work 300 Sweat Equity hours in the HFH program

  • Ability to repay the loan with a monthly mortgage

     Families must be below 60 percent of the area median income.  The selection process is non-discriminatory; neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing families to receive Habitat homes. Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity homes are built in Black Hawk and Bremer Counties.


Home Ownership

    If you or someone you know would benefit from home ownership please visit www.heartlandhfh.org and download an application or
call 319-235-9946.

 

How You Can Get Involved

  • Sign up to work on our construction site to help build a home.

  • Prepare meals or snacks for our hardworking crews.

  • Join any of our teams: Family Selection, Family Support, Construction, and Site Selection— just to name a few!

  • Fundraise!  Collect beverage cans and bottles to be recycled—collect coins at your local club or church—sponsor part or all of a home with your employer or church.

For More Information

Find out more about Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity here
Find out more about Habitat for Humanity International here


 Posted  05.05.08
 •  Last Update 05.05.08

 

ADULT FORMATION PRINCIPLES
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.

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