Roanoke Valley, Habitat for Humanity in the

It is the priority for Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley (HFHRV) to create more permanent, fair and affordable housing for the vulnerable population. Our annual goal is to build 8-10 single-family residences in the City of Roanoke that meet HUD environmental protocols.
We serve low-income families whose annual income is less than 150% of the poverty line as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services, and are unable to qualify for a conventional mortgage. Eligible household income must not exceed 80% of the area median income, adjusted for the size of the household, as established by HUD. We use Roanoke, Virginia Housing and Urban Development Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Median Income figures to determine eligibility.

Qualifying income of 30%-60% MSA is determined by applicants pay stubs, child support payments, government and subsidy award letters, and all other income streams for all adult household members. Additionally, all employed adults in the household provide copies of their tax returns, W2s and bank statements.

Habitat designs house plans for new construction projects implementing the architectural integrity that complement and blend with the surrounding neighborhood housing stock, all in compliance with local Neighborhood Design District requirements and any required approval. We strive to maintain the original architectural design of the houses when submitting construction plans for historic approval. The intent is to balance the original architecture style of the house and the neighborhood while creating an energy-efficient, maintenance-free home for the affordability of each family and long-term visual appeal.

HFHRV utilizes EarthCraft standards in our new construction and renovations—a best practice model for green building. This demonstrates our investment in the long-term viability of our housing. Applying EarthCraft specifications to each house is another way in which we fulfill our mission of making housing energy-efficient and affordable while making tangible improvements in the community.

The following benchmarks are in place to ensure successful implementation of our strategy:

*Weekly HFHRV staff meetings to ensure that each project is operating on schedule as planned in every departments
*Housing Quality Standards inspection of each of the completed homes to ensure the health and safety of new homeowners
*Third party verification/certification to meet EarthCraft and Energy Star v3 requirements to ensure that homeowners see a decrease in their utility bills
*Environmental certifications also increases property values and reduces the base load on the energy grid
*90 day courtesy visit with new homeowners after closing to ensure that they have a clear understanding of home maintenance requirements
*Exit Interviews with new home buyers to evaluate their experience with the program and to ensure that homeowners will succeed at homeownership
*Habitat Homebuyers continue to make mortgage payments to HFHRV monthly offsetting operational cost

Our approved candidates begin their year of partnership with Habitat by contributing on the building sites, as they are able. The homebuyers’ sweat equity work supports the overall movement of the project; lowers the eventual labor cost of the house; familiarizes them with the community and their neighbors; and teaches essential home maintenance and repair skills.

During the same year of partnership, our homebuyers develop an individual spending plan; start and maintain an emergency savings account; and attend a series of VHDA-required classes with topics including financial literacy, home maintenance, insurance, and community relations - all of which are designed to foster successful homeownership. In addition, families attend neighborhood organization meetings in the neighborhoods where they will eventually live.

Habitat’s process demonstrates that people thrive when they have a permanent residence in a stable community. An affordable place to live helps place families on a path of opportunities with increased dignity and self-reliance, giving them the chance to create savings and to invest in their education. Habitat works with families to help them acquire the skills and financial education necessary to be successful homeowners. By partnering with Habitat, families seize the opportunity to work for their goals.

Our program utilizes a workforce that is 50%-70% volunteer-based to reduce construction labor costs and provide volunteers from businesses, churches and organizations an opportunity to work alongside our homebuyer partners as they engage in community neighborhood revitalization activities though tangible, hands-on service projects that benefits the community. Our volunteer workforce will offset construction labor cost by 30%-50% which allows us to significantly lower the expenses and maximize our financial support.

Contributions and in-kind support of materials will come from HFHRV's solid community partnerships and rigorous fundraising which solicits and stewards funding from corporate supporters as well as our vast network of private donors and Foundations.

Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley partners with individuals, corporate and community organizations to support the construction of new and rehabilitated homes in the Roanoke Valley. Together, we help families make permanent changes that break the cycle of generational poverty.

The success of our work transforms the community and the lives of the families we serve, and promotes profound positive social, economic, and generational change within each family.

The practical method of monitoring program success includes Housing Quality Standards inspection of each house to ensure the health and safety of new homeowners; EarthCraft certification to ensure affordable utility bills; environmental certifications which increases property values and reduces the base load on the energy grid; interviews with new homebuyers to evaluate their experience with the program and to ensure that they will succeed at homeownership; and continued mortgage payments to HFHRV monthly offsetting operational cost.

HFHRV has been partnering with families and volunteers to build homes in the Roanoke Valley since 1986. Over the past 33 years, Habitat has completed 253 homes and has enabled homeownership opportunities for well over 253 families in the Roanoke Valley. Between 2008 and 2020 HFHRV conducted similar projects with the City of Roanoke and other housing partners by utilizing HUD funds to collectively acquire property, construct and renovate homes, and perform repairs in blighted neighborhoods. At the end of 2020, Habitat built and rehabbed over 80 units to provide affordable new homeownership in these target areas, and provided owner-occupied repairs for 7 LMI homes in Roanoke City.

HFHRV plans to continue to build and remodel 8-10 homes a year for the under-served families in Roanoke, Virginia with the goal of eliminating poverty and housing insecurity.

Going forward, our affiliate is implementing strategies to grow our capacity to serve even more families by increasing staff, increasing donations and developing solutions to enable us to expand our reach in the community.