American Rescue Plan Act Impact Series 6: Homeownership through Habitat for Humanity
Posted on: May 15th, 2024 | AnnouncementsCOVID-19Featured News
MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. -- Habitat for Humanity is synonymous with homeownership.
Each year in Mobile County, the organization hands over keys to the doors of new homes to three, sometimes five, families.
Responding to the housing crisis, Commissioners Merceria Ludgood, Connie Hudson, and Randall Dueitt, committed $645,000 from Mobile County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to Habitat for Humanity. These funds will allow the organization to provide as many as nine more affordable homes in Mobile County.
ARPA funds are being used by Mobile County Commissioners Merceria Ludgood, Connie Hudson, and Randall Dueitt in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in key areas such as providing aid to the most vulnerable populations.
"We have an excellent relationship with the County. We have built homes with them in the past, and we're currently working with them through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds," said Executive Director Courtney Rouse-Heinz. "The $645,000 was allocated to new construction. This money has allowed us to double our numbers and help others in our service area.”
According to Rouse-Heinz, the funds Habitat for Humanity would have normally dedicated to new homes will now go to other programs, such as the critical home repair program for qualified homeowners, which will allow the agency to expand its offerings.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for needy families who may not have access to suitable housing. Usually, the organization relies on donations, volunteers, and partnerships to carry out its work. However, in this case, they could go a different route.
"We could subcontract out to a builder for these properties, and we would not have been able to do that without these funds from the County Commission," she said. "These houses will be built much faster, and we'll be able to get homeowners in quicker.”
Habitat for Humanity homes sell between $150,000 and $160,000 with a monthly mortgage payment from $500 to $600. Rouse-Heinz explained that the organization services its mortgages, so funds it receives from payments on the Mobile County Commission ARPA-funded homes can be used to provide more local programs and services.
There are financial obligations to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, but also sweat-equity and education components. Each new homeowner is required to assist in building new homes or help in the organization's store. There is also the requirement of 100 educational hours where they learn about credit, saving accounts, IRAs, home repairs, and other aspects of life focused on helping homeowners be more successful.
This is one of many impact projects assisted by the Mobile County Commission through its ARPA allocation. To learn more, go to https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/american-rescue-plan-act-of-2021/.
Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity. Interview by A. Henderson.
CLICK HERE for impact article 1: Journey to Recovery
CLICK HERE for impact article 2: Semmes Public Safety Complex
CLICK HERE for impact article 3: Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Programs
CLICK HERE for impact article 4: Mobile Sports Authority Portable Courts
CLICK HERE for impact article 5: Continental Commissary Kitchen