Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury

HFHWM ReStore is a home improvement store selling new and gently used home furnishings and building materials at significant discounts. The store offers appliances, construction items, furniture, and home décor, and is open to the general public, as well as to contractors and Habitat homeowners. The ReStore also provides an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep thousands of good, reusable materials out of landfills. It also raises enough each year to fund the construction of two homes for families and individuals in our communities.

Partner families are recruited and selected based on 1) living in inadequate/substandard/rent-burdened housing; 2) having limited income (30 - 60% of Area Median Income); and 3) being willing to earn up to 500 hours of “sweat equity” by building their and their neighbor's homes, attending mandatory homebuyers’ education classes, and saving $2,500 for closing costs. Working with volunteers from local banks and finance departments, HFHWM provides Homebuyer Education classes for its future homeowners. Budgeting and personal finance classes prepare the applicants to handle the monetary requirements of buying a home and help them plan to reduce debt and increase savings. The sessions on home maintenance and the legal aspects of home buying and ownership provide practical knowledge and resources for the new homeowners. These classes build confidence and the foundation for the continued success of the Habitat homeowners.

In 2021, 631 volunteers helped build a stronger future for partner families, their children, and the community. These volunteers work as construction crew leaders, home builders, ReStore staff, administrative/fundraising support, and members of the Board of Directors. Roughly 70 percent of an average 10-day build schedule for a Habitat house is completed through volunteer labor. Volunteers experience the pride and satisfaction of being part of a team-based effort. Home construction also provides an opportunity for individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds to interact in a meaningful way for the benefit of the future homeowner and the community. The work experience creates bonds and friendships between volunteers and homeowners who otherwise would never have met. It also promotes understanding among all involved of what it means to make a visible, permanent difference in the communities in which they live, work, and study.

The Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury’s Critical Home Repair program provides major repairs at a discounted rate to keep homeowners safe and warm, and from being displaced from their homes. Families or individuals with 60% or below the HUD Median Income can qualify for this program. The Critical Repair program can provide repairs for the following situations: unsafe roof or floor, lack of heat or cooling, electrical hazards, plumbing hazards, ramps & accessibility needs, interior/exterior work needed to maintain a home, and weatherization.