Building Homes
Building homes is what Habitat for Humanity does. Habitat's builds take place in over 60 communities across Canada. Volunteers of all ages and experience team up for a common purpose: to provide simple, decent, affordable houses for low-income families. These builds are made possible through the aid of sponsors, resources, and volunteers like you!
The Process
The Habitat process begins with a family. Applications are sent to our local office from families living in inadequate housing. After a thorough review of the applications, a family in need is selected for a Habitat Home.
Habitat For Humanity Families...
- are families comprised of at least one adult and one child living in the home.
- earn a gross family income that must not exceed $30-35,000 per year (guidelines are directly correspondent to the number of family members living in the home).
- demonstrate an ability to pay with a history of reliable monthly income, a manageable debt-load and a consistent track record of creditor servicing (proof of annual income may be required).
- possess a desire to become independent homeowners, but have not had the opportunity.
- are willing to partner with Habitat For Humanity and donate 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the organization as their initial investment.
Previous applicants are also encouraged to re-apply or to re-activate their application.
For more information or to obtain an application form, please call Charlotte Hawes at 334-3777.
After we find a site for the home to be built on, the family is required to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" where the family contributes in the building of their own home, or other Habitat homes.
The local Affiliate, in this case Habitat for Humanity - Vancouver Island North, raises funds in the community and finds sponsors willing to get involved by donating, time, volunteers, money, and building materials to the house. Once the details have been worked out the building can begin.
Volunteers are recruited and are required to fill out forms stating their experience levels. This way they can be given tasks that make the most of their experience. Even volunteers with no experience find that building a Habitat home teaches them more than they ever imagined about construction. Crew leaders instruct volunteers in how to frame up walls, put up insulation and drywall. They teach techniques for siding, and roofing, as well as interior work like sanding and painting. The building of a Habitat home often results in the building of new friendships.
When the house is finished and the family is ready to move in there is a dedication celebration for the family and volunteers who have made this dream a reality. Most dedications are filled with tearful hugs, and handshakes, and a prayer thanking God for the new home and the people who have made it possible.
