About Our Affiliate
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in our community.
By providing safe, decent, affordable homes, Habitat for Humanity opens a door for impoverished families, allowing them the opportunity for increased self-esteem and self-reliance. With the stability of a permanent home, families can devote increased attention to jobs, education and health. As the crushing cycle of poverty is broken, their children benefit, their neighborhoods are revitalized and entire communities improve.
For too many families in our community, such aspirations appear to be out of reach. However, we are in a position to help these families achieve their dreams.History
Incorporated in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of SSBC is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International-the largest nonprofit home builder in the world and the sixteenth largest builder in the country. Through the years we have not only completed our own projects but have also collaborated with other non-profits on rehabilitation projects for homeless shelters, senior housing and day care centers, and renovated homes of residents who were too infirm to make needed upgrades.
We recently completed our first major Habitat for Humanity building project in Santa Barbara-three condominiums located near the upper end of State Street on Via Lucero. Coming from unconverted garages and transitional housing, three hard-working and deserving families are thrilled with their beautiful new 1,150 square-foot units, each with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Volunteers provide most of the labor, with individuals, churches and corporate donors providing the money and materials to build Habitat houses. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor - called "sweat equity" - into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.
How Does Habitat Work?
Habitat is able to build homes cost effectively through our unique model of combining government funds, donated labor and materials, national partnerships, sweat equity and community support. Partner families purchase the homes from Habitat through interest-free loans. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity to help fund the construction of more houses in our community. Through this approach, Habitat makes no profit and gives partner families not a hand out but a hand up, restoring the hope and dignity that poverty can strip away.Habitat for Humanity and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 100 nations have built over 200,000 homes for sale to partner families. The Habitat for Humanity International web site contains more information on Habitat's history, mission, volunteer opportunities and contact information for other Habitat affiliates around the world.
You too can help Habitat build stable families, safer neighborhoods and caring communities. Join us in this exciting mission by picking up a hammer, joining a committee, and/or making a contribution and together we will tackle the challenge of ending poverty housing.
Habitat evaluates applying families in terms of their need for decent, affordable shelter, their eagerness and willingness to work; and their ability to be good homeowners.
All who can sincerely commit themselves to the involvement and responsibilities of the Habitat program are invited to apply to Habitat for home ownership. The Habitat for Humanity family selection process differs from many housing programs. Not all low income persons will qualify. Habitat is looking for families that are currently living in substandard conditions, have the ability to pay a mortgage, and who are eager and willing to work for something better.
Families must attend a Family Selection meeting held at various locations throughout Santa Barbara and complete an eligibility checklist. Families who qualify are then given an application to complete. These applications are similar to a regular market application. Those families who clearly do not qualify are provided information on why they do not qualify. Any applicant family selected for further consideration as potential homeowners with Habitat will be personally interviewed in their current home by members of our Family Selection Committee.
Homeowner Partner Guidelines
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is an equal opportunity housing provider. Our policy is to provide housing for people who have low-to-very low income status. This means that the total annual income for the family may not exceed 40% - 60% of Area Median Income. Examples of these levels for 2008 are indicated here:
- One person family total income--$18,800 - $28,200
- Two person family total income--$21,480 - $32,220
- Three person family total income--$24,160 - $36,240
- Four person family total income--$26,840 - $40,260
- Five person family total income--$29,000 - $43,500
Applications for "Partner" Families will be accepted based on four criteria:
- Unsuitable present housing -- family currently residing in deteriorated, unsafe or overcrowded conditions;
- Total family income between 40% and 60% of area median income;
- Willingness of homeowner family to partner with Habitat for Humanity through the contribution of "sweat equity" toward the construction of their home or others in the project, and willingness to repay Habitat for Humanity for the costs involved in the construction of their home.
- Ability to pay a no-interest mortgage to Habitat for Humanity