Habitat for Humanity for Georgetown County SC

Home Ownership Program: Families in need of a decent place to live build safe and affordable homes in partnership with us. Habitat Georgetown is a nonprofit, Christian-based organization that builds decent, affordable homes for low-income working families who prequality for our homeowership programs. Habitat Georgetown has built more than 110 homes since it became an affiliate in 1991. We seek to build at least 3 homes per year. Habitat Georgetown homes are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homeowners familys needs but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs affordable. We build 2 to 5 bedroom homes in our Traditional Homeownership program. Habitat Georgetown families contribute 300 hours of sweat equity to the program by building their own home, helping another habitat family build a home, or working in some other area of the Habitat Georgetown organization. Our other homeownership program includes 1 bedroom energy-efficient homes for seniors in our Cottage Program, in which homeowners are required to complete 100 sweat equity hours. With the help of volunteers and prospective homeowners, implementing efficient building methods, keeping house sizes modest, using donated construction materials and appliances, and issuing no-interest loans, Habitat Georgetown makes our houses affordable for low-income families to purchase. Affordable home ownership helps create conditions that free families from instability, stress, and fear and encourage self-reliance and confidence. Studies show that strong and stable households are foundational to child development and growth. When a home fosters - instead of hinders - health and safety, families can flourish. Owning an affordable home also allows homeowners to lift up their entire family by saving for their futures and investing in educational opportunities, bolstering job opportunities and career growth. During FY2021, Habitat Georgetown served more than 6 people through our long-term homeownership program.

Home Preservation (Repairs) Program: Our home Repair Program is an outreach intitiative that seeks to provide a wide range of opportunities for low-to-moderate-income homeowners, including veterans and seniors, who are struggling to maintain their homes because of age, disability or family circumstances. We partner with families to help them reclaim their homes with pride and dignity. The program allows families to stay in their homes and avoid the uncertainty, trauma and expense of moving. Projects consist of exterior repairs intended to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Volunteer teams, and sometimes subcontractors work under the direction of Habitat Georgetown and our Repair manager to complete the repairs. Habitat Georgetown has partnered with more than 32 homeowners since the beginning of the Repair program in 2020. We have replaced more than 150 windows, installed several ramps, replaced more than 5 roofs, pressure washed and painted dozens of homes, and repaired rotten siding. Volunteers have contributed more than 15,000 hours to our Repair Program and Habitat Georgetown has invested more than $100,000 with local subcontractors under Habitat Georgetowns direction. We also received certification for the organizations Aging in Place program.

Homeowner Education Program: As part of the homeownership process, Habitat Georgetown believes financial education builds a more solid foundation for long-term personal success and helps alleviate any concerns or barriers on the path to homeownership. During these financial education classes, we cover topics such as budgeting, credit cards and credit reports, debt and loans, saving, investing and planning for the future, emergency situations and Habitat homeowner mortgages. A more in-depth understanding of these important concepts is a tool that can be used to build a better future for our neighbors. Habitat Georgetown has conducted more than 12 financial and homeownership workshops during FY2021.