York Habitat for Humanity

A nonprofit organization

$78,465 raised by 367 donors

York Habitat for Humanity’s unique homeownership program is a hand up, not a handout thus promoting self-sufficiency. Each year, over 2,500 volunteers and a handful of future Habitat homeowners work to build safe, decent, affordable homes in the community.

Habitat is able to sell the homes to low-income homebuyers at affordable prices never exceeding 30% of the homebuyer’s gross income.

To become a Habitat homeowner, candidates must meet specific residence, need, income and debt level requirements; complete an intensive educational and financial program; engage in one-on-one budget reviews; and invest their own “sweat equity” in constructing Habitat houses. All candidates in the program have “Family Partners” to provide support, encouragement, and mentoring throughout the process.

Habitat engages in on-going efforts to support and educate homeowners through educational workshops, volunteer opportunities, and one-on-one mentoring. York Habitat takes credit mentoring very seriously and systematically works with future and current homeowners who are at financial risk. York Habitat has built 150 homes since 1985 and has a 93% success rate with Habitat homeowners paying off their mortgages and/or making their monthly payments on time. We are proud of that statistic and know that it is possible only through Habitat’s commitment to continuous education. This statistic, as well as the measurement of how many people accepted into the program complete the requirements and achieve the goals of the program (savings, debt reduction, increase in disposable income, and debt-to-income ratio less than 40%) prove that Habitat’s homeownership program is truly impacting lives on a long-term basis.

Over 800 men, women and children who once lived in substandard housing in York County, now live in a safe, affordable York Habitat home. The families are building equity, exercising financial stewardship, preparing the next generation for financial success, and building community in their neighborhoods.

York County Community Foundation Stretch Pool

Mission

York Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer driven, Christian-based housing ministry that builds safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with lower-income York County residents living in substandard housing. Funded mainly by private donations, York Habitat provides a “hand up, not a hand out” by offering qualified families interest free, 30 year mortgages. With the assistance of our supporters, we have served over 750 community members and have completed over 145 homes. Since 1985, York Habitat has created over $10 million worth of new or rehabilitated affordable housing, which generates more than $350,000 in tax revenue. Over 8,950 volunteers work with York Habitat annually, 3,250 of which are construction volunteers.

York Habitat continues its Chestnut Street Revitalization Project in which 14 new homes will be built for 14 low-income families from York County. 711, the 5th home under construction, will be appointed as York Habitat's first ever #OneCommunity build, which will newly engage local social and racial justice groups to improve and mend local relationships.