Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity

Written by Katherine Kennedy Saturday, 07 July 2007

Habitat builds foundation for homeownership

ReShawn Castille and her son Derek will soon have a new home in Round Rock with the help of Habitat for Humanity. For Castille, this is a chance to plant roots and find stability in the community.

“By owning my own property, I have a new sense of pride and am embracing the new responsibilities that come along with it,” she said.

Habitat’s mission is to erase poverty housing and ensure every person and family has a place to live, according to Linda Sloan, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Round Rock executive director.

Volunteers build and rehabilitate simple houses, which are sold, instead of given, to families with no-interest loans. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their house and usually continue to become a volunteer to build homes for other families.

However, before qualifying, recipients receive special training. Castille has learned how to do her own home repairs and to handle her salary through a special program called Financial Peace University.

The Round Rock location started in October 2003 when a group of its citizens recognized an increasing need for decent affordable housing. Homes are provided for people who live and work in the community. Sloan said the homes are built to fit into the neighborhoods.

“We increase a family’s stability by providing them with a home,” she said. “They are able to get themselves out of poverty, the kids do better in school and the cycle is broken for that family. Our homes revitalize the areas they are built in and perk up the neighborhoods.”

She said that the money from the homeowners’ mortgage payments goes toward building new homes internationally.

“Last year, Round Rock gave money ‘house for house,’ which means that for each of the three homes we built, we gave enough money for three new homes to be built in other countries,” Sloan said. “This program helps start a never-ending cycle: The more homes we build, the more money we have to build more homes.”

Starting in July, the group will expand their network of service by merging with the Greater Georgetown team to become Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County. The new organization will be able to provide services to communities in need that were outside of their areas before, according to Sloan.

“We will begin by focusing on Taylor because there is a great need and a strong interest by the community there,” Sloan said. “We must have local support to begin in new communities. The fundraising and volunteer base is a constant need that has to be supplied by the people of the community.”

Myth vs. Truth

Myth: Habitat for Humanity builds houses only for minorities.

Truth: Habitat builds houses with people in need, regardless of race. Three criteria drive the family-selection process: need, ability to repay the no-profit mortgage during a 15- to 30-year period and willingness to partner with Habitat.

Myth: Habitat is an arm of the government.

Truth: Habitat for Humanity International is an independent, non-profit Christian housing ministry. It is not an arm of the government, nor an arm of any particular church denomination. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds or services for “setting the stage” for house building.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity builds only in cities – or builds only in rural areas.

Truth: Habitat – through local affiliates – is at work in cities, suburbs and rural areas in highly developed countries and in developing countries.

Habitat for Humanity, 512-350-7518, www.habitatroundrock.org • 512-478-2165, www.austinhabitat.org