Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity

Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity has been serving Cowlitz County since 2000. We have increased our building capacity in both new home construction and in exterior repair and rehab work. The new homes are sold to qualified families with zero interest mortgage loans. All applicants, whether it be through a new or rehab/repair program participate in the sweat equity model. We are a "hand-up" organization and believe that all applicants best learn and maintain their status when they are invested with sweat equity and educational requirements. We are an actively engaged affiliate with the neighborhood revitalization efforts in Cowlitz County and have identified 2 specific neighborhoods (south kelso and the highlands.we work with the community to enhance the existing revitalization plan and to engage the residents to improve their own lives and that of their neighborhood. We have been active in establishing and participating in a community-wide nrcc (neighborhood resource community council). This nrcc is made up of residents and a wealth of non-profit agencies and representatives of organizations for the purpose of communicating needs and finding solutions related to neighborhood renewal projects (currently in longview and kelso, wa). Nrcc will offer training, education, and leadership development opportunities. Nrcc will attempt to support neighborhood organizations in their efforts to secure funding for community building and other neighborhood support projects. A brush with kindness (abwk) is a growing program within the Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity offerings. It is a program that provides exterior home improvement projects to low income homeowners. Similar to our new home construction program, applicants must be willing to participate (via sweat equity) and meet the project qualifications and criteria. We currently undertake 12 - 15 abwk projects each year. This opportunity also allows us to engage youth.