Statements
Mission
Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Mission: Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity seeks partnerships to build affordable homes, stronger communities, financial literacy and life-changing opportunities for hard-working families in Rutherford County, TN. Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that puts God's love into action by building homes, communities and hope. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, Habitat has helped more than 29 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since its founding in 1976.
Background
Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity (RCHFH) has been providing affordable homeownership opportunities in our community since 1989. The program began by focusing on building houses for families in need - lifting families out of poverty, one at a time. Homeownership opportunities were few and many families found themselves living in sub-standard housing. Through the years, RCHFH has transformed many neighborhoods in Murfreesboro, LaVergne and Smyrna by purchasing lots and dilapidated houses and building beautiful, new energy-efficient homes in their place. As of January 2021, RCHFH has built 169 homes and completed hundreds of critical repair projects including an Aging In Place program.
in 2019 RCHFH purchased an 18-acre lot on Twin Oak Drive in Murfreesboro and developed a subdivision called Legacy Pointe. RCHFH completed the first four houses in January 2021 and will start building 3 more houses in the Spring 2021 and another 4-5 houses in the Fall 2021. Eventually Legacy Pointe will have 77 lots/houses for 77 families, with the potential to expand the subdivision. Legacy Pointe is an HOA neighborhood with paved sidewalks and one-car garages, for residents who earn 30 - 80% of the AMI (Area Medium Income). Many of our families are cost burdened and have been paying over 50% of their income on rental housing (typically $1000 - $1500/month) and will actually SAVE MONEY by BUYING their Habitat home using our low-interest mortgage, with a typical cost of $700-$800/month.
Habitat Future Homeowners are required to complete 50 hours of Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education and 300-400 hours of sweat equity, working on their house as well as others. This prepares them to maintain their home and manage their money. All of our homes are also Energy Star Certified and provide great monthly utility savings for our families. Our Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education Program will open February 1 - March 1, 2021 for the Class of 2021 and graduates will be eligible to become homeowners in 2021-2022.
RCHFH is not funded by Habitat for Humanity International and must raise all funding through local donations, company sponsorships and events. Habitat for Humanity International is a very respected organization and is the 15th largest builder overall in the county and the largest builder of Affordable Housing in the nation. Habitat is "Brand of the Year" in the social services nonprofit category based on the Harris Poll EquiTrend rating.
Impact
In the fiscal year of 2019-20 we completed 8 homes in Rutherford County. Habitat employs the strategy of 'Give Here. Build Here', raising all funds here and building only in Rutherford County. Our homes are built through the generous support of donors and corporate sponsors from our community, from events such as Cookin' To Build, and through foundations and grants for Affordable Housing and for our Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education program. Each home has a tremendous and life-changing impact on the family as well as the community.
The Financial Impact: one home being built through Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity is approximately $125,000 during the year that the home is being built. This figure includes construction costs, property taxes paid to local government and provides the equivalent of one full-time job for every house built.
75% of families have a monthly budget
92% maintain a checking account
69% maintain a savings account with 53% saving more than prior to owning a home
60% reduction in use of food stamps and welfare assistance
The Educational Impact includes the benefits of homeownership to children who perform better in school and who are more successful. We have homeowners as well as students who are able to continue their education from obtaining their GED, technical school degrees, associates and bachelor's degrees. We have also had children who have grown up in Habitat homes who have gone on to college.
70% obtained or planned to obtain additional education.
53% of parents report their children's grades have improved
44% report that their children's study habits have improved
80% of families attribute all or part of this change to homeownership
The Educational impact is also extended to those who come and volunteer on the job site. We average 100 students each year (high school and college) who join us in home builds as well as other Habitat educational programs. Educational impact includes learning construction skills, exposure to cultural diversity, leadership skills, conflict resolution, community tours, and a deeper understanding of the challenges of affordable and low-income housing.
Global Impact - Global impact is realized as we tithe ten percent of local sponsorships to the country of our choosing. Habitat for Humanity International builds homes and contributes to the local communities in over 65 countries.
Environmental - The Habitat Restore takes donations of building materials, furniture and household goods and resells them at highly discounted prices, so they can have new life and be recycled, reused and repurposed. The ReStore in Murfreesboro diverts over 560 tons of materials from the area landfills every year. In addition, proceeds from the ReStores fund the administrative costs of Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity - so that all other donations go towards our Affordable housing program!
Needs
Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat International but we do not receive funding from them. We rely on local donations from individuals, businesses and churches to fund our program along with some national grants and corporate partners. Our program is more than just building houses. It includes a mandatory 50-hour Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education Program as well as a post homeowner program - so our Habitat families are educated and prepared to become homeowners and sustain their home. We appreciate all financial support, sponsorships, discounts of building materials, in-kind services, or land in Rutherford County to continue our mission to change lives by providing decent, affordable housing opportunities in our community. We also invite guest speakers during our Homeowner Education Program who can share their expertise of various life skills, from food and nutrition to children and education, and family and financial responsibilities. To meet our goal to increase our capacity of house builds, we developed a 77-home subdivision, Legacy Pointe, on Twin Oaks Drive in Murfreesboro and have built four homes as of January 2021.
CEO Statement
Rutherford County has it all! We are the home to many large corporations and manufacturers from all over the world. We are home to the state's largest undergraduate university, MTSU. We have two award winning school systems: an excellent career and technical center, TCAT, as well as Motlow Community College - which saw a 60% increase in enrollment this year. Our healthcare industry continues to soar and housing sales are steadily growing! We have it all - except in the area of "Affordable Housing." As our county grows, the property values rise causing affordable housing to become scarce. With our growing community we require a strong and steady local workforce and service sector who in turn need places to live. Did you know that in Rutherford County it takes a minimum wage earner 76 hours a week, 365 days a year, to make the money needed for the Fair Market Value of housing in Rutherford County?! Those workers pay an average of $1700 dollars a month on housing. Many people in our county pay over 50% of their monthly income on housing alone, leaving little money for other household and family needs, our Habitat homeowners never pay more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.
Of course, Habitat can't provide affordable housing for everyone who dreams of homeownership, but we strive to help as many as possible. We work with residents who are committed to investing in their community and the Habitat program. They complete our 50-hour Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education Program, put in 300-400 hours of "sweat equity", and pay a 1% down payment. Our future homeowners work hard for the opportunity to own a home, and we work hard to make this a reality for them.
As much effort as we put into the mission of Habitat, we could not do it without the support of our community. We rely completely on grants, sponsorships, and the generosity of businesses and individuals in our community. We count on those who want to make a difference and create a place where everyone can have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of homeownership. We count on our community to make an investment in our Habitat affordable housing program and the people we serve in Rutherford County. That's why "Give Here. Build Here" is so important to our success.
Board Chair Statement
The cost of housing has left homeownership out of reach for so many in Rutherford County. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and give hope and dignity for those needing a decent place to live. Our Board of Directors is blessed to have business leaders willing to volunteer their time and talents to help lead this Habitat affiliate to make the dream of homeownership come true in our county. Our staff organizes opportunities, bringing hundreds and hundreds of volunteers together each year, to build affordable houses for those willing to make a financial, educational, and physical commitment for their and their neighbor's houses.
Since my business is much about designing single and multi-family subdivisions and sites, we want to give back to those that have been priced out of homeownership. SEC, Inc. has provided the surveying and design for our affiliates' first residential subdivision. Other Board members' businesses also provide their products or services pro bono, or sponsor home construction for our residents-to-be so they can realize homeownership like you and I.
Your financial support will help us, and those that partner with us, to put homeownership within reach for our friends in need. Please consider giving to this effort so housing can be within reach for others.
Mark Lee
President, RCHFH Board of Directors, Site Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Housing, Shelter - Housing Development, Construction & Management |
| Secondary Category: | Housing, Shelter - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Adult Education |
Areas Served
We serve working families who earn between 30%-80% of the median income in Rutherford County Tennessee. While the majority of our homes are located in Murfreesboro, we have homes located throughout the county. The distribution of homes is usually: LaVergne (10%), Murfreesboro (80%), and Smyrna (10%).
| TN - Rutherford |
