The ultimate goal of Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in Florence by building adequate and basic housing for low-income families. Furthermore, all of our words and actions are for the ultimate purpose of putting shelter on the hearts and minds of people in such a powerful way that poverty housing and homelessness become socially, politically, and religiously unacceptable in our nation and world.
Our organization partners with local low-income families, who are in desperate need of housing, and through volunteer labor, provides them the opportunity to own their own home. Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out. Since receiving our charter in 1991, the Greater Florence affiliate has successfully built thirty five homes in Florence and is currently building more. We at Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity are very excited about this milestone because it marks the beginning of the new future of our organization. Next year we plan on building five houses: a number that will continue to increase as each year passes. With the help of our community, we will eliminate poverty housing in Florence.
Many people do not realize that we actually sell new homes to deserving, low-income families in Florence. Partner families must maintain a stable monthly income in order to pay their twenty-year, interest free mortgage payments, which are around $300 per month. A family must also be in need of adequate housing in order to be eligible to receive a Habitat home, which may include substandard housing, overcrowding, of homelessness. Lastly, a family must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” which they receive by working on their home or the homes of others.
As you can see, Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity is a worthy organization with a worthy cause. We ask that you will please consider helping us eliminate poverty housing in Florence.