Habitat for Humanity
Women Build 2022Habitat for Humanity
Women Build 2022
Sub-standard housing is a nationwide crisis. Locally, in St. Joseph County, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $840, requiring one in four renting families to devote over 50% of their gross income to rent and utilities (Business Insider, 2015). This is unsustainable for those families most in need, frequently relegating them to an unending cycle of choosing between paying rent, medical bills, transportation to jobs, and other necessities.
Habitat for Humanity is addressing this problem in our community by providing families in need with an opportunity for homeownership through their Women Build 2022 program. Under this year’s program, Habitat is working with Muffet McGraw to build safe, affordable, new homes with the help of local donations and a diverse group of mostly female volunteers. Prospective homeowners are required to attend 16 weeks of homeownership classes and provide their own sweat equity into construction of the home, and in return are ensured that they will pay no more than one third of their gross income on their low-interest mortgage.
Habitat submitted a grant request to the Foundation to aid in the funding of Women Build 2022. As a previous supporter of the program, the Foundation has seen the impact it’s had in our community, and enthusiastically approved their request.
