On the Podcast: Habitat for Humanity

Local Partner Podcast: Habitat for Humanity

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/6F5iUtQZHRMk4bOSIf9Nw7VwN9Y?view=summary

The podcast discusses Habitat for Humanity's mission in Fayetteville, focusing on affordable housing. Since 1988, Habitat has built homes with families contributing 300 sweat equity hours and receiving zero to very low-interest rates. They also offer critical home repairs, veteran repairs, and aging in place modifications. The Habitat ReStore sells donated items, with all proceeds funding affordable housing. Trade Days teach high school students carpentry skills. Habitat aims to serve families making 30-80% AMI, ensuring they pay no more than 30% of their income on housing. The organization emphasizes community impact, stability, and empowerment through volunteering and donations.

Action Items

• [ ] Encourage Veritas members to support Habitat or other local organizations they are passionate about, even if Habitat is not the perfect fit for them.

• [ ] Invite Habitat to do a local partner highlight at Veritas on July 20th.

• [ ] Pray for Habitat to have the right people join their team to continue serving the community effectively.

Outline

Opening Prayer and Introduction

• Introduction of Samantha Metheny, Emily Ruth Perry, and Brandon Price, who are present in the Habitat for Humanity office.

• Brandon Price introduces himself as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Fayetteville.

• Emily Ruth Perry, the deacon of local partners, expresses excitement about sharing information about Habitat and its mission.

Habitat for Humanity's Mission and Programs

• Brandon Price explains that Habitat for Humanity has been in Fayetteville since 1988, focusing on building affordable housing.

• The organization has four main programs: new construction, critical home repairs, veteran repairs, and aging in place.

• In the new construction program, families partner with Habitat, completing sweat equity hours to build their homes and receive zero to very low-interest rates.

• The critical home repairs program includes veteran repairs, storm-related repairs, and aging in place modifications for older adults.

• Habitat ReStore sells donated furniture and household items, with all proceeds going towards affordable housing.

Trade Days and Construction Camp

• Brandon discusses the Trade Days program, where Habitat partners with local schools to teach carpentry skills to students.

• Students learn to build toolboxes, stools, and other projects, gaining valuable skills for home repairs and potential careers.

• Emily Ruth highlights the importance of these skills for both practical use and character building.

• Brandon shares the success of a construction camp, where students learned various household maintenance and repair skills.

• The camp helped students like one who turned his academics around and is now enrolled in a carpentry program at Fayetteville Tech.

Affordable Housing and Community Impact

• Brandon defines affordable housing as homes for families making between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI).

• Habitat families pay no interest on their mortgages, which is a significant cost savings compared to traditional mortgages.

• The average newly constructed home in Fayetteville costs over $300,000, making it unaffordable for many essential workers.

• Emily Ruth emphasizes the stability and security that owning a home provides, especially for children who don't have to switch schools frequently.

• Brandon explains that stable housing leads to fewer missed workdays for adults and fewer emergency room visits for children.

Faith and Mission of Habitat

• Emily Ruth asks how Habitat's faith-based mission fits into its daily operations.

• Brandon explains that while not everyone at Habitat is a believer, the organization is founded on Christian principles of community and service.

• Habitat serves families regardless of their beliefs, but the organization's core values are rooted in Christian teachings.

• Emily Ruth discusses the importance of serving the city and how supporting organizations like Habitat aligns with Veritas' mission.

• Brandon emphasizes that serving others is a directive from Christ, and Habitat aims to empower people to do extraordinary things.

Impact of Habitat Homes on Families

• Brandon shares stories of how Habitat homes have transformed lives, providing stability and reducing stress for families.

• Children benefit from consistent schooling and community relationships, which are crucial for their development.

• Adults miss fewer workdays and spend less money on rent when they own their homes.

• Habitat homes lead to a decrease in crime in neighborhoods, as families look out for each other and create a sense of community.

• Emily Ruth highlights the importance of homeowners in stabilizing neighborhoods and creating a network of support.

Ways to Get Involved with Habitat

• Brandon encourages people to support Habitat through time, talent, and treasure.

• Volunteering at the Habitat ReStore or on construction sites is a valuable way to contribute.

• Administrative support and leading builds are also needed.

• Shopping and donating to the Habitat ReStore is another way to support the organization.

• Brandon mentions the 100 Churches initiative, where 100 churches donate $100 a month to support Habitat's mission.

Orange Street Connection and Future Plans

• Emily Ruth brings up the Orange Street connection, where Habitat and Inasmuch have formed a partnership.

• Inasmuch owns multiple lots on Orange Street, and Habitat plans to build homes there within the next 12 months.

• The partnership aims to revitalize the neighborhood and provide affordable housing for Inasmuch families.

• Emily Ruth discusses the broader neighborhood development plan and the importance of homeowners in creating a stable community.

• Brandon shares that Habitat intentionally builds clusters of homes to create a sense of community and reduce crime.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

• Brandon provides contact information for Habitat, including the website and phone number.

• He encourages people to reach out for more information, donate furniture, or volunteer.

• Emily Ruth and Brandon discuss the upcoming local partner highlight event at Veritas on July 20.

• Brandon asks for prayers for the right people to join the Habitat team and for continued support and growth for the organization.

• Emily Ruth concludes with a prayer, thanking God for the work of Habitat and asking for continued inspiration and support for the organization and its mission.