Habitat

February 18th, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Habitat

Habitat for Humanity Homes Booming in the Current Climate of Foreclosures

While the numbers won't be available for this year's foreclosures for some months yet, the numbers for homes lost due to foreclosure for last year are easily available for those who're brave enough to take a look at them. Reported losses to foreclosures range as high as a million homes lost for 2008, with over two million homeowners facing foreclosure proceedings between January and December 2008. Foreclosures in the beginning half of 2009 were even more prevalent than the previous year.

It is refreshing to see that even in this current economic climate that the kindness of strangers still exists; in 2008, Habitat for Humanity helped over 50 thousand families in their need for affordable housing. With the number of foreclosures remaining steady across the nation, it is heartening that some families are finding respite from their environments of poverty and finding their way into a home of their own.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for families in poverty all over the world, including: Canada, the US, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Europe. Recipients represent a wide array of ethnicities, religions, and family structures.

Habitat homes are built by volunteers and the family who the house is for; they all come together and work on the home. Home owners invest what Habitat for Humanity refers to as "sweat equity" into their home. Some volunteers feed the crews that are working on the home; many of the materials used in the homes are donated while other materials are purchased from local businesses to support the local economy.

Families who require housing need to apply with Habitat for Humanity who then chooses recipients based on need, ability to repay a no-interest loan, and willingness to participate in the program. Many family members work hundreds of hours on their home while it's being built; friends and coworkers of the recipient often come out and volunteer many hours of work to the project as well.

It should prove to be interesting how Habitat for Humanity fares over the next few years as the fallout from the current recession continues to accumulate and more and more families lose their homes while struggling with high unemployment. Hopefully the program does not become overwhelmed with applicants before the economy can recover to the point where more people are able to once again attain affordable shelter.

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