Building Hope

More than Houses
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity seeks to build lives as well as houses.  Through the houses we build, hope is restored and lives are changed as the cycle of need is broken.

How we build is just as important as what we build.  Habitat houses are built with a contribution of 250 sweat hours of "sweat equity"per adult which is labor on the part of the Partner Families.

By investing themselves in the building process, Partner Families gain self-reliance, self-esteem and new skills.

By investing time, money materials, and their expertise, Habitat volunteers, donors, organizations, businesses and professional trades gain new relationships, which extend far beyond what is imagined.  Habitat brings together people from all walks of life, with varied skills and economic backgrounds.

Method
Annually, the Family Selection Committee solicits applicants for Partner Families throughout the three Counties, whose income is between 30% and 50% of the median.  Applicants must be legal residents and have lived in Cedar, Johnson or Iowa Counties for at least one year.  Families are selected based on their need, ability to pay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage, willingness to volunteer when building the house and willingness to partner with Habitat.

Selected families who are successful in completing the requirements will receive a no-interest mortgage on a house built to accommodate their family size and budget.

The Family will pay an average mortgage payment of $300-$350 per month.  The Family will also be paying their property insurance and taxes, thereby reinvesting in the community.

The sales of Habitat houses to Partner Families is structured giving Habitat a First Right of Refusal to buy, which then assures continued affordability beyond the first owner.  The monthly mortgage payments are also reinvested and used to build more houses through a revolving fund.  In this way, we can ensure that Habitat homes will go on meeting the need for affordable housing in Cedar, Johnson or Iowa Counties.

A typical example of annual gross income required to qualify for a Habitat home is between $18,000 and $34,000 for a family of three and between $20,200 and $38,000 for a family of four.

Those persons who are interested should see the Apply for a Home page. Once they have contacted Iowa Valley HFH, they will receive a brochure with more information and be placed on the mailing list to be notified when applications open.