Home Rehabilitation: How to get involved

How can YOU get involved? 

As Habitat delves further into NRI, there will be more and more ways for you to get involved. As the types of projects increase, there will be an increasing need for volunteer support, sponsors, and in-kind donors; the types of tasks that volunteers will be called on to complete will also increase in number and in type. Below are some of the ways you can get involved now and as new opportunities are available, I will let you know!

Volunteer with us!! 
Volunteers are the backbone of Habitat, without them, we would not be able to provide our services at an affordable price for our partner families. With NRI programs, we will rely on volunteers to help us complete surveys, process those surveys, assist with home rehabilitation projects, and so much more! All of Habitat's volunteer opportunities help us reach our goals so get out and volunteer! 
To start volunteering with us click HERE!

Sponsor a project! 
NRI will open up so many new projects, both big and small and we will nee YOUR help to make them possible. whether you and/or your organization can give a little or a lot, you can make a ginormous impact!! Click HERE for sponsorship information.

In-Kind Donations!

Each project will need materials and services to be completed. By donating a little of your time or resources, you help keep the project more affordable for the family and you help Habitat help more people. Interested in being an in-kind donor? Click HERE for more information!

"Much more than swinging a hammer" 
Remember, any contributions you make go towards furthering Habitat's mission so if you don't think Home Rehabilitation is the project for you, we have so many other ways that you can get involved!!                       Just to name a few: Donate to our Restore, Shop at our ReStore, Volunteer at our Restore, Other Volunteer opportunities, and Columbia Habitat Young Professionals

Thank you for all of your support!

Next on the Quest: Mold, Asbestos, and Lead! Oh My!

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?

HFH National Service Leadership Conference

 

In a land far, far away ... also known as Talladega, Alabama. AmeriCorps members serving with Habitats all over the nation gathered to be trained, challenged, and inspired.

In 1964 Lyndon B Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty in America" to save those who"live on the outskirts of hope." Habitat for Humanity's National Service Leadership Conference (NSLC) was a revitalization of this declaration. With Habitat now focusing of measuring families served instead of houses built, they are addressing a crucial part of its mission - "Bringing people together to build ... hope"

For the last week, I was learning from some of Habitat's experts how to best serve Central South Carolina Habitat and how to empower more families through hope-inspiring actions.

• Habitat has come a long way since 1976
• By shifting to measuring by families served and quality of life, we are more accurately measuring Habitat's impact on our families and their communities
• Think outside the box! 
• WE still have a long way to go to see our vision come to fruition 

NSLC also focused on Habitat's new Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Here are some program highlights:

1. New NRI tools are creating win-win situations for everyone
2. New and exciting tools that have been developed to serve more families 
3. NRI provides new ways for volunteers to get involved and become advocates for the elimination of poverty housing
4. The goal of NRI is community development
5. NRI is a perfect avenue to reach Habitat's vision

By expanding both who and the way we serve, we will be able to be more effective in not only eliminating poverty housing but also eliminating impoverished communities. We are developing several new and exciting tools to reach our goal and all of them can be used as part of NRI.

The tools I have mentioned are the up and coming programs I am developing. ..... As I continue to develop the new projects, I will announce them here first!!

So, without further ado: Announcing our first NRI tool ..... (drum roll) ..... in the next post!


Next on the NRI Quest: Introducing our first NRI program!!

What is NRI?

Okey Dokey, 


So NRI- Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, is a fairly new initiative started by Habitat for Humanity International in 2009. it was created as a response to the increasing obstacles that families face in their search for safe, decent, and affordable housing. 

Here are the basics of NRI

 Mission of NRI: To serve more families by responding to community aspirations with an expanded array of products, services, and partnerships, empowering residents to revive their neighborhoods and enhance their quality of life.

Vision of NRI: Neighborhoods across the country are revitalized into vibrant, safe, and inviting places to live for current and future residents.

With this information we are left to ponder: What does NRI mean for us and the people we serve?? In order to understand that, we must first look at where it comes from.

Next on the NRI Quest: The NRI Story