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Habitat for Humanity's Vision: A World where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity brings Community's together. It is a 1978 concept to help people build a decent home at 0% interest, they pay back and funds go to help next person. Habitat for Humanity is in 70 countries and has 50 affiliate offices in Canada. Northumberland was formed in 1998. In 2020 Habitat Northumberland helped 84 families. 58 families were helped with affordable housing and 26 families with Renewit loans. They have provided 4 families in Brighton with homes since 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017/18. Brighton is the only site where they moved a home. There charitable business model is a hand up, not a hand out. They have 4.5 paid staff. A board of directors are volunteers. They administer the program, volunteer engagement, provide family services, financial / mortgage holders, construction managers, and fundraising. The ReStore in Cobourg is on Division Street just south of Elgin. Home and building supplies all donated, gently used or new. They divert a lot of stuff from our landfills. They are very strict about COVID protocols to protect volunteers and shoppers. They can provide curbside pickup and have been open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. In 2020 they helped divert 190 tonnes from our landfills. They form partnerships with home buyers who have to provide 500 hours of sweat equity with Habitat for Humanity. Their volunteers can work at the ReStore or builds. No experience needed. In 2020 their volunteers put in 4071 hours at ReStore, 1268 hours in office and builds and 360 hours by board members. They provide an outlet for volunteers, a means to engage in the community. Home ownership is their main program. Typically 900 to 1200 square feet. Basic homes. They look at needs of the family and size of the family. Families are selected based on need, low income, ability to pay and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Mortgage structure; the sell at fair market value, interest is free. Mortgage payment set at 25% of gross income. Equity shared between Habitat and owners on sliding scale over the years. At 50% owners are encouraged to get a regular mortgage from a bank or other institution. Habitat has first right of refusal to buy back home. Affordable housing is a problem and in current market is getting harder and more difficult. Home ownership has many benefits for people from pride and dignity. In addition to the Home ownership program, they provide housing support with Renew it helping people with small amounts for repairs and renovations. Also a Habitat Maintain program with say $1500 to $2000 grants to low to moderate income households to help primarily with accessibility and safety issues in homes. They also have a furniture program providing vouchers to families to purchase furniture from the ReStore. In 2021 they plan to serve 15 families, completing several homes in Cobourg area. They will be updating their strategic plan for 2022 / 2024 and hoping to rebuild after COVID. There is a group looking at mini homes, 500 to 600 square feet. Tiny homes. They have a Global Village program and volunteers can help in other countries. Most new home projects are partnerships with Municipalities or other organizations. They have a plan to convert a semi with some land to a quad with 4 units. The ReStore pays their administration fees.
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