A hand up, not a handout—ESTHFH empowers families with pathways out of low-asset poverty. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families.
Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. Housing is often the greatest expense for families. Our model ensures that expense is affordable—guaranteeing mortgage payments will be no more than 30% of a family’s monthly income at the time of closing. Families also contribute “sweat equity” by building on their home and the homes of their neighbors, playing a critical part in the transformation of the community.
Our successful plan is largely credited to our supportive services focused on helping families prepare for ownership and navigating them through what is otherwise a complicated process. ESTHFH’s Homebuyer Education classes equip families with a stronger understanding of budgeting, home maintenance, and the various skills needed to empower them with stability and success.
The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are recycled into a revolving Fund for Habitat for Humanity that is used to build more houses..