Habitat for Humanity - Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humani

Home ownership / construction program Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity (glhfh) builds homes for low to moderate income families using mostly volunteer labor and donated or reduced-cost materials. Interested family partners must apply and proceed through a qualification process for a 0% interest mortgage. Glhfh holds and services (in cooperation with woodlands bank) the mortgages and works with the families throughout the course of their loan to keep owners current on their mortgages, taxes and insurance. Qualified selected families must also contribute 250 hours of "sweat equity" through hands-on work during the home build phase. The land available and the neighborhood zoning for new home construction considered, most glhfh homes are two- story, 3 bedrooms, and have 1200-1600 square feet of living space. During the fiscal year no homes were sold to new owners and construction continued on a new home.

Habitat restore glhfh's restore is a retail operation managed by glhfh staff that operates entirely to provide a revenue stream to the glhfh. The store sells new and used building components, hardware, furniture, and household goods at 50% to 75% off retail price to the local community. Volunteers and community service workers make up the bulk of the support staff in this program. Due to restore sales and recycling programs, tons of reusable materials are kept out of landfills annually.

Volunteer services glhfh recruits, trains, and manages volunteers for all of its programs and services. Students, student groups, retirees, americorp members, business groups, church groups, community organizations, individuals seeking community service opportunities are all utilized to help glhfh meet its mission. All participants are interviewed, matched with an opportunity that fits their needs and abilities, trained and managed by glhfh staff.