The Habitat for Humanity for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg recently dedicated its 200th home sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
But how does the home building process work and who helps provide materials and build those houses?
Janet V. Green, CEO for the regional nonprofit, said funding for the homes are made possible through the Habitat ReStore, several home improvement and donation stores.
The proceeds from the stores go toward the Homebuyer Program which helps lower-income families buy and pay off their home with 200 hours hours of “sweat equity,” according to the nonprofit’s website.
In addition, each home is sponsored by an organization such as Newport News Shipbuilding and is a “cooperative effort” between the family, sponsor and volunteers.
Each home is 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a 30-year mortgage.
The payments made by the families are “recycled” to provide more housing for other families, according to the nonprofit’s Dec. 13 news release.
“All of our homes are built in partnership with the family who is buying the houses for us,” Green said.
The nonprofit uses licensed sub contractors for HVAC, electrical and plumbing installation.
One of their regular businesses is Ferguson, who donates toliets, sinks, water heaters and pipes to every home built by Habitat for Humanity, Green said, adding only new items and appliances are used in the houses.
The nonprofit gets building supplies by partnering with local, small businesses, she said.
Green said the nonprofit values its partnership with businesses and volunteers.
“Behind the scenes are volunteers,” she said. “Volunteers are building the houses.”
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