Home Rehabilitation: Why it matters

Home Rehabilitation is focused on preventing and decreasing the number of vacant homes in a community. The main source of vacant homes are those that have been foreclosed upon. Decreasing the number of foreclosures matters for the following reasons:

   
Effects of foreclosure on families

1. Families are almost always forced to move on short notice and with no plans as to where to move, causing several families to become temporarily homeless by living with family or friends or in a shelter system.
2. A family's credit score can be ruined which negatively influences terms and prices for services such as loans.
3. Due to their compromised position, families are more likely to fall victim to predatory lending.
4. Increased family stress from foreclosure can lead to extensive marital problems, abuse, development of negative coping mechanisms and can have negative effects on both physical and mental health of individuals.

Effects of foreclosure on communities

1. The lack of care to a foreclosed home can change the entire atmosphere in a community.
2. Vacant homes are a magnet for theft, violent crime and other forms of illicit activities, especially when the vacant homes are unsecured. Communities that have typically been safe neighborhoods are now on the brink of deterioration by crime.
3. Vacant homes can cause unforeseen health and safety issues
4. A single foreclosed will decrease the property value of the neighboring homes.
5. Local governments face fiscal stress due to the decrease in property tax revenues and an increase in needs to be met -- In 2005, one foreclosure could impose up to $34,000 in direct costs on local government.

This matters to us because in the counties we serve, there are over 900 foreclosed properties. This means the impacts listed are multiplied by 900.

THIS is why it matters!

This matters to us because through the Home Rehabilitation program, Habitat is able to:

• Provide more families with housing that is decent, affordable, and safe. 

• Fill a previously empty house which brings safety and security back to a neighborhood.

• Increase the local government's revenue base, increasing its ability to serve the community.
• Move forward with our NRI program!

Next on the Quest: Home Rehabilitation: Who Qualifies?