Habitat for Humanity - Richmond Metropolitan HFH

Homeownership program: families in need of a decent place to live build safe and affordable homes in partnership with us. Habitat houses are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs affordable. By using the labor of volunteers and prospective homeowners, employing efficient building methods, keeping house sizes modest, using donated construction materials and appliances, and issuing no-profit loans, Habitat makes its houses affordable for low-income families to purchase. Affordable homeownership helps create the 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 fiscal year 2024, Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity served more than 40 people through its long-therm homeownership program.

Home preservation program: our home preservation program is an outreach initiative 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 home and avoid the uncertainty, trauma and expense of moving. Projects consist of interior and/or exterior repairs intended to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Volunteer teams work along with subcontractors under the direction of Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity staff members to complete repairs. Since the inception of the home preservation program, Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 55 local homeowners, with 55 homeowners served during fy2024.

Neighborhood revitalization program: through our neighborhood revitalization work, we tailor our efforts by partnering locally with residents and community leaders and organizations to best address the real concerns of the community and improve the lives of the people who live there. Using a data-driven and customizable approach, we focus on first understanding the concerns of the residents and then empowering these residents to lead the projects they want to see. Alongside Habitat, residents work with churches, schools, new and longstanding neighborhood coalitions, local government entities, and other community partners to achieve their goals.because each neighborhood's challenges and aspirations are different, the framework acts as a guide that can be tailored to the goals of each community. That's why neighborhood revitalization can look like anything from developing public parks to organizing safety meetings with the local police department to rehabbing and reopening schools, stores and homes.

Financial and homebuyer education programs: as part of the homeownership process, we believe 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 mortgagtes. A more in-depth understanding of these important concepts is a tool that can be used to build a better future. Overall, Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity has conducted more than 40 financial and homebuyer workshops, with 6 held in fy2024.

Disaster response program: the most basic needs - health, water, shelter, sanitation, livelihoods, safety, education and others - become both scarce and dire in the event of a disaster. We believe that safe, reliable shelter provides the foundation from which all of these things can begin to reemerge during the relief and rebuilding process. With the help of volunteers and donors, we are able to provide shelter assistance, education, training and partnerships to affected individuals who find themselves in unthinkable situations after a disaster strikes.