Trinity Habitat for Humanity

Trinity Habitat builds strong families and neighborhoods by:

• Building and renovating high quality, affordable single family homes

• Advocating on behalf of those in need of decent housing

• Serving as a partner and catalyst to create healthy and sustainable neighborhoods

Hand Up, Not a Handout
Habitat families help build their homes, participate in financial education, and pay an affordable mortgage.

Foundation for a Better Life
Habitat families achieve long-term financial security and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.

Community Driven
Habitat families work with donors, volunteers, and community partners to build strong neighborhoods.

1. Program Model
What makes Trinity Habitat for Humanity unique is its holistic approach to neighborhood revitalization. This strategy embraces an integrated, collaborative process for community development. THFH works in coalition with neighborhood associations, residents and partners to address the many elements that contribute to a higher quality of life, including housing, health care, safety and economic development. Additionally, Habitat families undergo many hours of training to prepare them for the responsibility of homeownership; the default rate on THFH mortgages is less than 3%. The Habitat program stands apart from others because of its sustainable impact that forever changes a family and those around them. The home is a vehicle of change that combats the issues in so many aspects of a life lived in poverty. THFH provides a hand up, not a handout. We build affordable housing in partnership with hardworking families who earn a maximum 80% AMI. No other organization in our service area provides a similar program for families in this income range.

2. Diverse Revenue Streams
Funding is solicited from corporations, foundations, faith organizations, community groups, as well as individuals and public funds. In addition, THFH operates four ReStores which sell new and gently used building materials, appliances, and household furnishings to the public. Proceeds from all ReStore sales benefit the construction of future Habitat homes. Our BUILDSTRONG sustainable funding program encourages donors to give three-year gifts of at least $1,000 per year to support our programs. Finally, the mortgage income from our Habitat homeowners feeds not only into operational costs for our affiliate but also into the current year's house construction budget. Each home is fully funded prior to beginning construction.

3. Volunteer Program
Trinity Habitat for Humanity’s mission can only be achieved with the active participation of thousands of volunteers every year. All who desire to be part of our work are welcome, regardless of their background, abilities, experience and affiliations. Bringing diverse groups of people together to make workforce housing and safer communities a reality makes Habitat a unique organization. Volunteers help on new home build sites, exterior home rehab sites, in our office and ReStores, and at Trinity Habitat events. No special skills are required — all volunteers receive skills and applicable safety training when reporting to their particular volunteer site. Every year, approximately 10,000 community volunteers help Trinity Habitat create safe, quality workforce homes and thriving communities.

Research compiled by Habitat for Humanity International reveals that women are disproportionately affected by this severe cost-burden and make up a larger share of U.S. households living in poverty, as well as, receiving government-subsidized housing. Fifteen percent of adult women lived in poverty in 2017 and make up 66% of the low-wage workforce. Sixty percent of children in poverty lived in households headed by women. Minorities, women, and low- and moderate-income borrowers across the United States continue to receive a disproportionate amount of high-cost loans. Approximately 65% of Habitat families are women-led. On average, Habitat families earn $37,228, placing them at 56% area median income.

As COVID-19 hit the United States, many families were able to shelter in a familiar, safe space to ride out the unprecedented pandemic. That wasn't the case, however, for people who live in substandard housing such as dilapidated or overcrowded rental units.

The Habitat program stands apart from others because of our ability to make a sustainable impact that forever changes a family and those around them. The home is a vehicle of change that combats the issues in so many aspects of a life lived in poverty. Investing in affordable, quality housing is investing in kids and their futures. Studies have shown repeatedly that a safe and stable household significantly impacts school outcomes for children. According to the Urban Institute, low-income students are more likely to change schools frequently due to change in housing, which can result in behavioral problems and lower test scores; and "housing in a safe and healthy neighborhood location can improve household access to high performing schools that lead to improved academic outcomes. Factors independent of school quality, such as community norms and values, day care availability, and safety may also lead to improved educational outcomes in a good neighborhood."

In addition, a research summary conducted by the Center for Housing Policy states that: "A growing body of research suggests that stable, affordable housing may increase children's opportunities for educational success. A supportive and stable home environment can complement the efforts of educators, leading to improved student achievement. Affordable housing may foster the educational success of low-income children by supporting family financial stability, reducing mobility, providing safe, nurturing living environments, and providing a platform for community development."

Together, with our supporters, we are building strong families and neighborhoods! Since 1989, we have built 858 new homes! The Habitat program model works, less than 3% of homes have foreclosed!