For each family, the home can be the stepping stone to greater goals or it can be the ultimate achievement of what was thought to be an unreachable dream. In either case, families gain confidence and a sense of pride in becoming homeowners. These new homeowners are invested in their neighborhoods and their community; and they work to create a safe and vibrant place for their families.

All of HFHSECT projects depend heavily on volunteers. A foundational principle of Habitat is that we build communities, through attracting people from all different walks of life, to work side by side with one another to eliminate substandard housing. Hundreds of volunteers annually work on Habitat homes. Whether filling in nail holes or building a wall, it is hard to go home without feeling like you made a tangible difference. Community building provides citizenship and leadership development opportunities. Each year HFHSECT engages more than 700 financial partners and 1,500 volunteers in the work of eliminating substandard housing in southeastern Connecticut.

The community will benefit from the smart growth strategies that HFHSECT utilizes in the building of affordable housing, which includes encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. Additionally, development strategy is inclusive to promote mixed income neighborhoods. HFHSECT projects do not destroy or negatively impact open space, farmland, natural beauty or critical environmental areas. Lastly, HFHSECT strategy utilizes an infill development approach, reinvesting in existing neighborhoods to improve the tax base and the availability of jobs and amenities. Our development philosophy is consistent with the National Neighborhood Coalition’s Regional Fair Share Housing Allocation, and promotes just and equitable growth across the region. Our communities can grow in ways that preserve our natural resources, protect the environment, reinvests in our older communities, and enhances opportunity for all individuals.

Habitat homes are constructed to last with design intended to reflect the look and feel of the neighborhood. This contributes to the sense of pride in ownership both the homeowners and neighbors can share in the project.

• For each of the families, this will be their first experience with homeownership. Their investment of "sweat equity" and monthly mortgage payments ensures they are invested new neighbors.

• For the children the homes represent stability, security in knowing where they will be living next year, and what school they will attend.

• For neighbors, it is estimated a 1% increase in homeownership rates increases the value of each home in the area by $800.

• For the city, these homes are expected to add $840 thousand to the grand list and generate $25,000 annually in tax revenue.

• For the local economy, an estimated $1.2 million dollars will be spent in the purchase of land, building materials and the employment of professional trades.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is not to be a home builder. Our purpose is to use building as a way to engage people in solving community housing issues. A review of the the housing need of Southeastern Connecticut provides compelling reasons why Habitat must invite greater numbers of citizens to participate in solving the critical need for decent affordable housing.

Southeast Connecticut Council of Governments provided the following comments as a result of its study of the housing need:

It is at the threshold of very low income that affordability issues become the norm. For a two person household the very low income threshold in this MSA is $23,300 and for a four person family it is $29,150. Only a two person family in the very low income category renting a unit without a separate bedroom would pay less than 30% of their annual income on housing. For 1 to 4 bedroom units, families would pay from 32% to 45% of their income on housing.

Very low income, two person households renting a two bedroom unit at the Fair Market Rent could expect to pay 40% of their income for housing. The situation of a four person, very low income family requiring four bedrooms is worse expecting them to devote 45% of its income to rent. Very low income families of this size would be expected to pay more than 30% of their income for housing no matter what size apartment they would be living in.

Information indicates that housing costs have risen substantially since the 2000 Census. Housing affordability is a growing regional concern. For the approximately 28,000 regional households estimated to have annual incomes below $35,000, housing cost is a chronic and critical issue. For the 15,000 households with estimated annual incomes below $21,000 affordable housing is a desperate issue.

The numbers help us understand the need and compel us to take more urgent action. We are committed to building 9 homes in the next 30 months. These homes will provide 4,500 volunteers with a chance to know the families and understand first hand what it means to them to escape substandard living conditions. Their efforts will result in sustainable solutions, creating life altering moments and building brighter futures for generations to come.

We invite donors to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut in our work to involve the community in long term solutions one home, one family, one volunteer at a time.