Habitat for Humanity - Southern Santa Barbara County HFH

Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is a local nonprofit committed to building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We partner with low-income individuals and families in Southern Santa Barbara County to build or improve a place to call home. Homeowners build alongside volunteers and purchase their home, paying an affordable mortgage. Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County has built 22 new homes for 84 people, 50% of which are children, led efforts to rebuild and repair 195 homes across Santa Barbara's south County, and contributed to approximately 400 new homes constructed internationally. Habitat Santa Barbara is an equal housing agency.

Habitat runs several community engagement initiatives, primarily through the support of unpaid, skilled and trained leadership volunteers:homeownership readiness curriculum & housing stability mentorship: Habitat Santa Barbara provides mentorship and education events. With the support of volunteers from our finance and family services committees, leadership volunteers provide everything from financial literacy, hoa support, housing repair guidance and more.advocacy: Habitat Santa Barbara, in partnership with other affiliates, advocates for safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities on the local, state and federal level.

Neighborhood revitalization efforts allow members of the Santa Barbara community to maintain and create public spaces leading to a more engaged and informed community. Partnering with local residents and community groups, volunteers work to improve neighborhood streets through activities such as trash cleanups, public landscaping, gardening, as well as painting community spaces.our home repair program addresses health, safety, and security issues including accessibility improvements and repairs that support aging in place. The majority of projects are completed by licensed contractors to ensure the highest quality repairs. Often, we also complete an a brush with kindness project in addition to a home repair project, if the homeowner requests it. A brush with kindness projects are smaller scale and led with the support of our volunteers at no cost to the homeowner, including painting, landscaping, and minor repairs and maintenance, grab bar installation, and more. All recipients must be at or below 80% of the area median income and for homeowner partners approved for the critical home repair program, Habitat undertakes a thorough income verification process which also includes home visits.