Sacred Heart Parish and Habitat for Humanity have joined forces with our Catholic Circle of Faith co-sponsors: St. Francis of Assisi; St. Pius; Sts. John and Paul, Our Lady's Immaculate Heart, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, St. John the Apostle, and St. Mary of Nazareth to sponsor the construction of homes in our community. We raise the money needed to build one home per year from start to finish.
Remember, no experience or tools are needed. If you would like to get involved for our next build, please let me know. You will meet a great group of people! To learn more about work days or for answers to questions, please contact Pat Baumhover by phone (515-202-2165) or email ([email protected]).
It is often misunderstood that Habitat for Humanity gives homes away, but that is incorrect. Families must qualify for the program and purchase the home with a 20 year, no-interest loan from Habitat for Humanity. Families qualify on three criteria: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity.
Families will also put in 300-400 hours of sweat equity which includes working on other construction projects, helping at the ReStore, and other volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity. Partner families also attend the Blueprint to Home ownership classes to learn how to be a good neighbor, protect their investment, basic home repair, budgeting, etc. Once they complete 200 hours of sweat equity, families are offered a property and can complete sweat equity on their own home.
In 2016, the Greater Des Moines Habitat served 200 families, 27 new homes and 193 'Rock the Block' families. In Greater Des Moines, 200 families apply for home ownership and 34 are recommended for homes. There were 11,000 volunteers in 2016 and the goal for 2017 is 12,000. The Greater Des Moines Habitat is the #2 affiliate in the country for the number of families served. There are 10,000 families in the area in need of housing.
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-40
Habitat's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. With the recent housing crisis and availability of vacant houses, many Habitat affiliates are doing more home rehabilitations, including owner-occupied critical repairs, weatherization and exterior home preservation services for homeowners in need.
Habitat follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion are a factor in choosing partner families. Partner families are always selected based on their level of need, ability to pay and willingness to partner.
Decisions regarding who will be approved for a home mortgage with Habitat are based on three criteria: