Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County



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ABOUT HABITAT

Habitat is developing a Habitat ReStore in Dutchess County. Updates will be posted as this exciting venture develops. Our hope is to open in fall of 2009. Call Rich Taylor at 221-2099 for more information on how to get involved.

Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County is an ecumenical, non-profit and locally operated self-help housing ministry designed to make home ownership possible for low-income families who otherwise could not afford a conventional mortgage. Reaching across religious, cultural and racial boundaries, we seek to restore a sense of community with the common goal of strong neighborhoods, communities and dignity through home ownership.

Our History
Since affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International in June 1995, Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County has built 10 houses: 4 in City of Poughkeepsie, 2 in Beacon, 1 in Hyde Park, 1 in Town of Poughkeepsie, 1 in LaGrange, 1 in Wappingers Falls. We have organized and completed 3 seven-day Blitz Builds with over 100 volunteers having fun working with the family on each build. We have attracted many partners from the business community for support on past and future builds. Our funding is solely from private donations, with no government funding accepted towards construction of the house. We can use government funds for infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, water & sewer mains, etc.

Our Service Area
Our geographical service area is all of Dutchess County including City of Poughkeepsie and City of Beacon. The majority of our work has been in the City of Poughkeepsie, where the number of those living in sub-standard housing is the greatest.

Our Work
Habitat is not a hand out, but a hand up. Through volunteer labor, tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses in partnership with families in need and who are willing to be part of the building process. The single-family homes, which cost an average of $65,000 to $74,000, are then sold to the partner families with a no-interest, 20-year mortgage. The mortgage payments go into an ongoing building fund to support the building of more Habitat houses.

Our Partner Families
Habitat partner families are chosen based on their need for decent, affordable housing, a family income which falls between 30% and 50% of the Dutchess County median family income, their ability to pay the no-interest mortgage, and their willingness to put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity working with volunteers on their house and the future homes of other Habitat families. In addition, the family must have legal US residency status and have lived in the service area for one year. Families are required to apply for a mortgage at a local lending institution as part of the selection process. It is our experience that the Habitat monthly payment is far less than the family is accustomed to paying in rent. Sweat Equity reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members and fosters the development of relationships with other people.

Local Outreach
Habitat holds public information meetings on the first Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at various locations in the area. Please call 221-0126 for the next meeting location and directions, or for information. Everyone is welcome!

“I’ve learned more about the need of others than I ever did as Governor or President. The sacrifice I thought I would make turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my life…I don’t know of anything I have ever seen that more vividly demonstrates love in action than Habitat for Humanity.”— Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States.

Volunteers
Working in partnership with HFH means everyone wins: the families who are able to build and purchase a Habitat home clearly benefit because of your generosity, but so do you and/or your company, business or group. By putting your hands and resources to work to eliminate poverty housing, you make this a better world for all. Volunteers of all ages, skills, occupations and faiths who come together with a vision of a future without poverty housing are the major resource Habitat needs to complete our mission. The sharing of all talents such as accounting, administration, public speaking, construction, legal, computer skills, and architecture are just a few of the many talents that makes Habitat successful. HFHDC works with schools, colleges, businesses, religious groups and civic organizations for support. For more information about volunteering, sponsoring, or starting a Campus Chapter, please call 221-0126. Or go to our Volunteer Page to sign up.