Program areas at Habitat for Humanity East Bay / Silicon Valley
Building affordable homes: Habitat builds affordable homes for people and families with limited incomes (50%-120% ami), those who struggle to gain a foothold in our housing market. Our innovative model builds partnerships with families who give "sweat equity," volunteers who give time, and donors who give financially, and we leverage these contributions to maximize our impact. Through our program, families gain economic stability and build a foundation for the future - for themselves, their children, and generations to come. In fiscal year 2023, Habitat built homes in sunnyvale, oakland, walnut creek, and pittsburg. Our five-year development pipeline includes over 300 additional homes across our service area.
Sustainable business restore: Habitat operates three restores in oakland, concord, and san jose that accept donations of quality new and used home improvement goods and sell them to the public at discounted prices. Restores are sustainable for the planet and for Habitat diverting over 13 million pounds of usable items from landfill annually and reinvesting all proceeds in our work to bring affordable homeownership, financial wellness, and secure, supportive shelter within reach of more people and families with limited incomes.
Home preservation: Habitat's home preservation program provides critical repairs to homeowners with extremely limited incomes (15%-80% ami), including seniors, people with disabilities, and mobile home community residents. Habitat provides grants for minor repairs, as well as low interest rate, no-payment loans for major projects, often modifying a home for adaptive use following a change in the client's situation, i.e. Converting bathtubs to walk in showers, widening doorways, and adding ramps for mobility devices. Habitat also provides crucial building envelope improvements, such as roofing, upgraded electrical, and installation of hvac systems, so clients can continue to live in their home safely. In fiscal year 2023, Habitat repaired 141 homes, serving over 225 individuals.
Housing & financial counseling: Habitat's hud-approved housing & financial counseling program helps clients build the skills and habits they need to successfully take on the responsibility of homeownership and achieve financial wellness. The program offers skills and education through one-on-one counseling with a hud-certified housing counselor to discuss their personal financial issues (i.e. Credit repair, budgeting, saving, etc. ); group classes and workshops, including the first time homebuyer class; and an online financial education center where clients can take courses at their own pace on many financial topics from "opening a basic bank account" to "preparing for retirement." The services are open to anyone, but target limited income families. In fiscal year 2023, the program served 1119 people.