Essay about Interview with the Director of Habitat for Humanity

I had gotten into contact with Habitat for Humanity it is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry. The Detroit location was founded in 1986 and has provided 400 families with a more stable home environment, moving families out of substandard poor quality living conditions (Habitat for Humanity, 2016). What habitat does is simply build or renovate existing homes partnering with individuals in need to assist them from being left homeless due to natural disasters, poverty also who faces terrible housing situations such as evictions as families struggle to gain some form of independence back (Habitat for Humanity, 2016). Essentially Habitat for humanity offers individuals and families (single mother and 2 parent) a second chance at home ownership. To qualify for this program the persons must display a need for housing, they have to establish proof of living in overcrowded conditions, the lost previous home due to non-payment of mortgages and not being eligible for homeownership. Homeowners must be employed and earn annual wages in excess of $22,000, however the minimum level of income will increase with the size of the family. The candidate cannot have any delinquent debit that exceeds over $1500, this excludes any medical and educational expenses and finally candidates have to invest 250 to 350 hours on building their perspective home and a down payment of $2000 (Habitat for Humanity, 2016). This seems like a good incentive for helping low income families,

Improved Performance. By having an identified process in place, the organization is attempting to create alignment of individual goals with that of the department and

The pay plan reflecting compensation for employees will be reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Trustees. Budgetary limitations may restrict the ability of all Coastal

OUR COMMITMENT - Housing is not just another company, we are a public benefit corporation that serves a critical need today. Our founding purpose was to build affordable housing to create social justice. With this goal comes commitment to social responsibility to Jadanco H. A. employees, our residents and our communities.

Evaluation is 1) Establish target objectives to measure outcomes. 2) Communicate to staff members the measures for successful results. 3) Organize the collection and evaluating of the effect. 4) Continually communicate with staff members during the evaluation processes. 5) Review plan and adjust if need.

In all, Habitat for Humanity is doing a wonderful service for the unfortunate people that just need a home to get back onto their feet. If I were to give to the unfortunate, I would not expect anything in return. That is why I would choose Habitat for Humanity for

Habitat Birmingham believes that everyone should be able to live in decent housing that is safe, energy efficient, and affordable for the family once they move in. Habitat Birmingham was established in 1987, and since then has built more than 600 homes, repaired/rebuilt 450 housing units, and served more than 1,000 families in the Birmingham area2. The organization believes that by providing housing for low-income families, it also brings people and communities together. Habitat Birmingham seeks to find volunteers from all areas of Birmingham in order to continue its mission in providing not only quality housing for low-income families, but in spreading hope, love, happiness, and a sense of security and

I am currently working as an Associate Planner for the City of Bakersfield’s Economic Development Division located at 1715 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, Ca. The Economic Development Division is part of the Community Development Department which is made up of the Economic Development, Planning, and Building Divisions. My department works, “to assist in the creation of new affordable housing and rehabilitate existing housing stock with community partners, partner with local organizations to provide community services, and respond to Fair Housing concerns in the City of Bakersfield” (“Community Development”, 2014). My job, in particular, is to manage the Community Development Block Grants, and Emergency Solutions Grants issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) envisions a world where everyone has access to affordable housing (Habitat, 2015). Habitat seeks to break the cycle of poverty by partnering with low income families to help build a decent, affordable home. Habitat was started in 1976 by Evangelical Christians as a non-profit organization that built affordable houses for families in need (Baggett, 2000). Habitat offers a sweat equity program that requires the homeowner to dedicate 300 hours of labor in building their home and other habitat homes (Habitat, 2016). Through the sweat equity program, Habitat aims to make homeownership possible to the economically disadvantaged. Habitat provides this service by offering affordable homes in safe neighborhoods

Fuller made a lasting impression on President Clinton and it was noted that he said, "Habitat has revolutionized the lives of thousands... Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of home ownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person." (“Linda and Millard Fuller,” 2009). Habitat for Humanity had enlarged to residing in Hungry, Romania, Mexico and India (“Linda and Millard Fuller,” 2009).

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County is a nonprofit organization. Their Mission statement is “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” The focus of the Construction program is focused on low income families who have trouble keeping up with the outer appearance of their home. They also focus of low income families who need a home. Habitat for humanity has commercials and billboard to let clients know about the existence of their organization.

My internship at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore allows me to help people have a better living situation and better futures and gives the opportunity to give back to the community as well. Habitat for Humanity is known to build homes for low-income families and provide them with the ability to be economically stable. The second part of Habit for Humanity which is the ReStore earns profit that is put towards building the houses. Furthermore, The financial support for these houses comes from the community who are compassionate to help each other out in the

Located in the Housing Helpers’ corporate offices in Houston, Texas, the Director of Public Relations and Communication reports to the Chief Executive Officer, and serves as a key member of the organization’s leadership team. The primary purpose of this role is to serve as the chief ambassador of the organization, while also overseeing all communication streams to ensure a cohesive message and image. The incumbent will support the development and sustainability of the community, religious, business, and media relationships through the development of a strategic communications and public relations program. At the same time this role will cultivate government and support agency relationships as Housing Keepers seeks to lobby for home improvement loans are reduced interest rates and funding for community renewal initiatives.

The director, Michelle Overstreet, used to be a counselor at Burchell High School where she saw a huge problem with homeless youth. She started MyHouse so that kids could have a place that offered positive reinforcement and the help they needed. They opened their first men’s house in November 2015 and opened a women’s house soon after. They offer both permit and driver’s license tests, a resume workshop, Al-Anon and AA meetings, and they provide food, clothes, hygiene kits, and clothes for job interviews. Their slogan is “a hand up, not a handout”

After some research and deliberation, I chose Habitat for Humanity (HFH, 2016) for my service project. There were several reasons that Habitat for Humanity appealed to me. The first reason is that I consider HFH to be a worthy cause is that I appreciate that it’s for a lower income family that would not otherwise be able to afford a home. The facts that the beneficiaries are expected to help build their home or other HFH homes with sweat equity, they’ll pay a mortgage, combined with the way it’s set up so they won’t be able to just sell as a short term flip, gives me the impression that it’s not a freebie entitlement program, but a program that promotes responsibility with some life changing results.