Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity

Background Statement

Since 2000, Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity has contributed 32 new homes/other housing projects & served 90 individuals including 37 adults & 53 children in our community. Families in the income range of 30 to 80% Area Median Income (AMI) are provided opportunities for education, homeownership, and repairs to homes they already own.

The Habitat model works:

• 95% of Habitat homeowners reported they could not have owned a home without help from Habitat.

• 98% observed a stable or positive impact on their children’s performance in school since moving into their Habitat home.

• Habitat homeowners reported significantly less use of public assistance since moving into their home.

Focus: Our focus is not simply the construction of a house but also the empowerment of the residents in our community. We build strength, stability, self-reliance & shelter by providing a hand-up-- not a hand-out.

About Us:

• CCHfH selects homeowners who have lived or worked in Chaffee County for one year earning between 30-80% of the area median income

• Homeowners are selected according to:

* Need: existing shelter is either inadequate, sub-standard or cost-burdened.

* Ability to repay: a zero equivalent mortgage that is no more than 30% of a family’s monthly income.

* Willingness to partner with Habitat: Partnering includes completing 250 hours of sweat-equity per adult working on their home or another Habitat home, attending homeownership classes, and participating in Habitat events.