Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit whose mission is to mobilize community partners and volunteers in building affordable housing. Over the past 35 years, HFHI has built more than 500,000 houses worldwide, providing safe, decent, and affordable shelter for over 1.5 million people in 3,000 communities.
Established in 2000 in response to the affordable housing crisis in Santa Barbara, Habitat for Humanity SSBC has completed 2 affordable building projects in Santa Barbara and is the development phase of our thrid - and largest. We are an independent affiliate of HFHI and believe homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty. Read our 3-year strategic plan (PDF).
Habitat SSBC partners with qualified low-income families and empowers them to become homeowners through interest-free loans and a no-profit mortgage. This provides families a hand up, not a hand out.
Habitat provides homes for people who have low-to-very low income status. The total annual income may not exceed 40-60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 2012 figures below. Note: figures subject to change.
- 1 person family total income--$21,280 - $31,920
- 2 person family total income--$24,320 - $36,480
- 3 person family total income--$27,360 - $41,040
- 4 person family total income--$30,360 - $45,540
- 5 person family total income--$32,800 - $49,200
- 6 person family total income--$35,240 - $52,860
- Currently live in deteriorated, unsafe or overcrowded conditions, or transitional housing;
- Family income between 40% to 60% of area median income;
- Willingness to partner with Habitat through "sweat equity" on the construction of their home;
- Ability to pay a no-interest mortgage to Habitat;
- Have lived or worked in Southern Santa Barbara County for the past year.
A Brush with Kindness is a program that helps preserve homeownership by partnering with homeowners struggling to restore and maintain a safe and decent place to live. When basic expenses exceed income month after month, home maintenance is the usual casualty. A Brush with Kindness provides volunteer work that includes exterior painting, landscaping and completing minor fence repairs on homes of low-income homeowners.
Brush with Kindness is about connecting people and restoring homes through simple acts of kindness so that homeowners can once again live in a safe and decent home. If you or someone you know needs this type of help, please refer to our Homeowner Requirements and fill out the Homeowner Eligibility Checklist and recturn it to mail@sbhabitat.org or call our office at 805-692-2226.
