Habitat for Humanity - Wicomico County Inc HFH

Howeownerhip program: families in need of a decent place to live build safe and affordable homes in partnership with us. Habitat houses are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs affordable. By using the labor of volunteers and prospective homeowners, employing efficient building methods, keeping house sizes modest, using donated construction materials and appliances, and issuing no-profit loans, Habitat make its houses affordable for low-income families to purchase. Affordable homeownership helps create the conditions that free families from instability, stress and fear and encourage self-reliance and confidence. Studies show that strong and stable households are foundational to child development and growth. When a home fosters - instead of hinders - health and safety, families can flourish. Owning an affordable home also allows homeowners to lift up their entire family by saving for their futures and investing in educational opportunities, bolstering job opportunities and career growth. Since the inception of Habitat for Humanity Wicomico 30 years ago, we have built 84 homes providing 84 families with a long-term homeownership opportunity. During fiscal year 2023, Habitat for Humanity Wicomico sold 3 homes providing these home buyer families with a long-term homeownership opportunity.

Restore program: Habitat for Humanity Wicomico operates a Habitat for Humanity Wicomico restore, a retail operation where donated furniture, appliances, building materials, and other miscellaneous items are sold to the community at a greatly reduced price. The restore funds the mission of the organization and provides operating income for the organization plus additional net income for home building and home repair programs.

Neighborhood revitalization program: through our neighborhood revitalization work, we tailor our efforts by partnering locally with residents and community leaders and organizations to best address the real concerns of the community and improve the lives of the people who live there. Using a data-driven and customizable approach, we focus on first understanding the concerns of the residents and then empowering these residents to lead the projects they want to see. Alongside Habitat, residents work with churches, schools, new and longstanding neighborhood coalitions, local goverment entities, and other community partners to achieve their goals. Because each neighborhood's challenges and aspirations are different, the framework acts as a guide that can be tailored to the goals of each community. That's why neighborhood revitalization can look like anything from developing public parks to organizing safety meetings with the local police department to rehabbing and reopening schools, stores and homes. The neighboorhood revitalization program served approximately 31 individuals during fiscal year 2023.