Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity

Home construction/homeowner program: Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity (brhfh) provides decent, affordable housing to low-income families who earn between 30% - 80% of the annual area median income as defined by hud. Externally assessed, 3rd party appraisal values are used to develop a fair market value home price for brhfh partner families. All partner family mortgage payments are capped at 28% of gross annual income to ensure partner families are not cost burdened. Brhfh is an award-winning affordable housing developer who believes in building quality durable well-designed homes that ensure the home is not only affordable to buy but also affordable to maintain in the long term. Through thoughtful design, brhfh prides itself on energy-efficient, sustainable, and durable homes. While construction costs have steadily increased, brhfh utilizes grant and donor funding to underwrite home sale prices for their partner families. Home prices throughout the nation have been steadily increasing in the past year and more low-to-moderate income families are being priced out of the homeownership market. Brhfh leverages the funds it raises through donations and grants to offer affordable home ownership to families experiencing limited housing options in an increasingly difficult market. Our homeownership program allows families to improve their living conditions, invest in their community, and provide future growth opportunities. Since its organization in 1997, brhfh has served 85 families, including 3 families during fiscal year 2022, through its long-term homeownership program. During fy22, brhfh provided new homes to 3 families and continued construction on 7 other homes. Brhfh is currently managing over $1.5 million in projects including 1 home in strasburg, va and 5 homes at the norris village site in winchester, va.

Winchester restore: brhfh's restore home goods program supports the mission by selling donated goods at reduced prices to community members. By selling gently used items, brhfh reduces landfill costs, provides volunteer/employment opportunities, and assists families by providing affordable home goods. Funds generated through the sale of donated items allows brhfh to fund its community outreach mission of providing affordable housing to low-income families. The restore generated over $700,000 in fy22 and reinvested those funds into our community in order to continue our mission of providing affordable housing to those in need. Brhfh's restore kept 322,000 lbs of waste out of the landfill, provided employment to 5 individuals and 29 volunteers, and provided affordable home goods to over 18,000 customers dedicated to shopping sustainably in our local community. for every dollar spent in the restore, $1.70 is injected back into the local community both directly and indirectly.

Home repair program: brhfh's home preservation/repair program seeks to provide critical home repairs to low-income homeowners, including veterans and seniors, who are struggling to maintain their homes because of age, disability, or family circumstances. Homeowner projects consist of interior/exterior repairs intended to alleviate critical health and/or safety issues. These repairs include remodeling bathrooms for safety and accessibility, repairing and replacing leaky roofs, repairing porch and door entryways, and installing ramps for accessibility. Brhfh partners with volunteers, sub-contractors, and other non-profit organizations to complete repairs that allow families to age in place with dignity and maintain pride in their own home. During fiscal year 2022, brhfh served 27 families through its home preservation/repair program. Brhfh hopes to expand the program to serve over 35 families in fy23

Other program services: brhfh recognizes that bringing together a diverse cross-section of revenue generating programs sustains mission capacity. By focusing on affordable housing opportunities, brhfh has invested in the following programs: the organization holds and services a mortgage portfolio of 50 active mortgages. These non-interest mortgages belong to homeowners who have participated in our homeowner program. Mortgage holders such as these have taken part in Habitat's comprehensive financial education curriculum before purchasing their home. Each mortgage holder has invested up to 250 sweat equity hours into the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program before fully qualifying to purchase their home. Brhfh also currently owns 9 rental units that provide below market rates to qualified tenants. The organization invested in these units to help preserve affordable rentals within targeted neighborhoods/communities.