Habitat does not give homes away. To qualify, families must live in substandard housing, earn less than 60% of the local median income, contribute 250 sweat equity hours, and purchase the home through a loan.
Habitat doesn’t just build affordable houses, it builds stronger, more stable families. The impact of becoming a homeowner achieves many of the following positive outcomes:
- Improves children’s education outcomes
- Improves the family’s health. Many Habitat partner homeowners previously lived in substandard conditions with mold and other health risks.
- Creates a sense of pride and builds self-esteem
- Develops greater financial independence and wealth accumulation
- Develops a sense of community
- Teaches skills in home maintenance
The Need for Affordable Housing in Kent County Delaware
According to “The State of Housing in The First State 2019″ published by Housing Alliance Delaware:
- Delaware has the 17th highest two-bedroom rental housing wage in the U.S.
- The Fair Market Rent (FMV) for a two-bedroom apartment in Kent County is $1,034, making the housing wage to be able to afford that apartment at $19.88.
- A minimum wage worker would need to work 91 hours a week to afford fair market rent in Kent County. This would be equivalent to 2.3 jobs.
- 30% of the households in Kent County are renters.
- Rent affordable for someone at 30% area median income (extremely low-income) is $495.
- In Delaware, 1 in 7 households spend more than half of their household income on housing costs.
- Currently in Delaware, there’s a shortage of 17,144 affordable and available rental units for extremely low-income renters.
- According to Delaware State Housing Authority housing affordability estimates, no household making 80% area median income in either Kent or Sussex County qualifies for a mortgage for a home sold at the county’s 2018 median sales price. In Kent County, that median home price was $212,000.
Habitat homes provide far more than a roof overhead; they provide a foundation for families and children to succeed, becoming a stabilizing force for many local communities.
Homeownership gives families the chance to establish financial security and roots in their communities. Quality, stable housing provides the basis for educational success as well.
For many families, homeownership means an end to frequent moves, which can cause children to fall behind in school and impact their social and emotional well-being.
