Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Bree DeMoss, Marketing and Events Manager with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, who discusses the nonprofit organization's mission to provide affordable homeownership opportunities through mortgage loans and home construction, while offering financial education and support services to help families succeed. The organization serves working families who earn too much for government assistance but not enough for traditional mortgages, with programs including volunteer-built homes, budget coaching, and credit improvement services. Through various initiatives like the ReStore, critical repair program, and community partnerships, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury aims to address affordable housing needs while creating stable neighborhoods and empowering families through homeownership.A Mission to Empower FamiliesBree DeMoss, Marketing and Events Manager with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury discusses their mission and efforts to build affordable homes and support local families. Bree explains that Habitat homes are purchased by families through affordable mortgages, and the organization provides financial literacy training, budget coaching, and credit improvement services to ensure long-term success. She highlights the Get Ready Program, which prepares potential homebuyers before they apply, and emphasizes Habitat's focus on empowering families to thrive in their new homes.Energy-Efficient Housing for Working FamiliesBree explains that their organization serves as both mortgage lender and general contractor, building energy-efficient homes with the help of volunteers and local sponsors. They focus on helping working families who earn too much for government assistance but not enough to qualify for traditional mortgages, offering a tailored budget coaching process and unique loan structures with the help of government and other partners. The program's impact extends beyond housing, as families experience improved educational outcomes, better health, and increased confidence after moving into their new homes.Homeownership's Role in Community StabilityBree discusses the positive impact of homeownership on communities, explaining how it helps families stay in their neighborhoods, spend money locally, and build long-term stability. She highlights how this stability enables families to advance in their careers and maintain connections to schools and local activities.Home Dedication Emotional CelebrationsBree describes the emotional experience of home dedication ceremonies, where she and other volunteers celebrate with families who have completed the home-building process. She explains that these ceremonies, which include sponsors, volunteers, and budget coaches, create a magical atmosphere as families receive their keys, and she has found the experience to be deeply moving over her four years of involvement.Habitat Volunteer Program OverviewBree discusses Habitat for Humanity's volunteer program, explaining that corporate and church sponsors typically provide groups of 20-25 volunteers for building projects. She notes that volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome, with age 16 for general participation and 18 for power tool use, and emphasizes that safety equipment and training are provided. She highlights the emotional impact of volunteering, noting that participants feel empowered by learning new skills and knowing they are helping families in need.House Building Financial StrategiesBree discusses the financial aspects of building houses, highlighting the significant costs involved, including lumber, contractors, and land development. She explains that they have various sponsorship levels, ranging from churches on the lower end to organizations willing to invest up to $70,000 for an entire house, with the actual cost closer to $200,000. They also seek in-kind donations from construction companies to offset expenses, emphasizing the importance of diverse support to address the challenges of building new homes in the current market.ReStore: Supporting Home BuildsBree highlights their ReStore, a home store in Franklin, Tennessee, that sells new and gently used appliances, furniture, and building materials. The store's profits help offset administrative costs and cover expenses not covered by donations and sponsorships, ensuring that donations go directly to home builds. She also mentions a Deconstruction program where they remove and transport kitchen materials from remodeling projects for free, supporting their home builds.Habitat's Critical Repair Program OverviewBree discusses their critical repair program, which provides major repairs for low-income homeowners in the community, regardless of whether they are Habitat homeowners. She emphasizes the need for community support through volunteerism, sponsorships, donations, and advocacy to raise awareness about affordable housing needs.Visit https://www.hfhwm.org to learn more.