Habitat for Humanity of York County Inc

HOMEOWNERSHIP 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 familys 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 makes 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 long-term career growth. During fiscal year 2025, Habitat for Humanity of York County served 21 people through its homeownership program.HOME PRESERVATION PROGRAM: Our home preservation program is an outreach initiative that seeks to provide a wide range of opportunities for low- to moderate-income homeowners, including veterans and seniors, who are struggling to maintain their homes because of age, disability or family circumstances. We partner with families to help them reclaim their homes with pride and dignity. The program allows families to stay in their home and avoid the uncertainty, trauma and expense of moving. Projects consist of interior and/or exterior repairs intended to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Volunteer teams work along with subcontractors under the direction of Habitat for Humanity of York County staff members to complete the repairs. Since the inception of the home preservation program, Habitat for Humanity of York County has partnered with approximately 400 local homeowners, with 55 homeowners served during FY2025.NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (BUSINESS CODE 624200) 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 government entities, and other community partners to achieve their goals. Because each neighborhoods challenges and aspirations are different, the framework acts as a guide that can be tailored to the goals of each community. Thats 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. AGING IN PLACE PROGRAM:We partner with families, communities and local organizations to help older adults improve their homes and their quality of life so that they can flourish where they live. To guide our work, Habitat developed Housing Plus, a comprehensive aging in place strategy. This person-centered approach uses two different assessments to tailor the process to each homeowners needs. These assessments, which consider everything from the residents lifestyle to their type of home, allow us to address older adults needs holistically, improving the likelihood that they can age in place. During FY2025, Habitat for Humanity of York County has improved approximately 41 homes to help older adults maneuver more efficiently.FINANCIAL AND HOMEBUYER EDUCATION PROGRAMS: As part of the homeownership process, we believe financial education builds a more solid foundation for long-term personal success and helps alleviate any concerns or barriers on the path to homeownership. During these financial education classes, we cover topics such as budgeting; credit cards and credit reports; debt and loans; saving, investing and planning for the future; emergency situations; and Habitat homeowner mortgages. A more in-depth understanding of these important concepts is a tool that can be used to build a better future. Overall, Habitat for Humanity of York County has conducted 34 financial and homebuyer workshops, with 5 held during FY2025.Disaster Response & Recovery: In FY2025, following local weather-related disasters, Habitat for Humanity of York County utilized $250,000 of its strategic reserves to assist 32 homeowners through disaster recovery home repairs. Through additional local funding support provided to Habitat for Humanity of York County, another 20 households accessed deductible assistance for insurance-related disaster recovery repairs.