Habitat for Humanity of Northern Columbiana County

THE ORGANIZATION OBTAINS PROPERTIES AND THEN BUILDS OR IMPROVES THE HOMES USING VOLUNTEER LABOR AND DONATED MATERIALS WHEN POSSIBLE. ONCE BUILT OR REFURBISHED, THE PROPERTIES ARE SOLD AT COST TO AN AREA NEEDY FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY SCREENED AS TO NEED, ABILITY TO PAY, AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH THE ORGANIZATION. THE FAMILY MUST CONTRIBUTE VOLUNTEER TIME TO REFURBISHING OR BUILDING THE PROPERTY. WHEN THE HOME IS SOLD AT COST, THE ORGANIZATION CREATES A 0% MORTGAGE WITH THE FAMILY THAT IS THEN REPAID ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE ORGANIZATION ACCUMULATES THE COST OF EACH PROPERTY AND SHOWS THE ACCUMULATED COST ON ITS BALANCE SHEET. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO THE RECIPIENT FAMILY AND PROVIDES FOLLOW UP FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO PREVIOUS RECIPIENT FAMILIES.

THE ORGANIZATION OBTAINS PROPERTIES AND THEN BUILDS OR IMPROVES THE HOMES USING VOLUNTEER LABOR AND DONATED MATERIALS WHEN POSSIBLE. ONCE BUILT OR REFURBISHED, THE PROPERTIES ARE SOLD AT COST TO AN AREA LOW-INCOME FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY SCREENED AS TO NEED, ABILITY TO PAY, AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH THE ORGANIZATION. THE FAMILY MUST CONTRIBUTE VOLUNTEER TIME TO REFURBISHING OR BUILDING THE PROPERTY. WHEN THE HOME IS SOLD AT COST, THE ORGANIZATION CREATES A 0% MORTGAGE WITH THE FAMILY THAT IS THEN REPAID ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE ORGANIZATION ACCUMULATES THE COST OF EACH PROPERTY AND SHOWS THE ACCUMULATED COST ON ITS BALANCE SHEET. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO THE RECIPIENT FAMILY AND PROVIDES FOLLOW UP FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO PREVIOUS RECIPIENT FAMILIES.

THE RESTORE IS A DISCOUNT HOME IMPROVEMENT AND BUILDING SUPPLY STORE. RESTORE REUSES, RECYCLES, AND RESELLS FUNCTIONAL BUILDING MATERIALS, TOOLS, FURNITURE AND APPLICANCES, THEREBY DIVERTING USEABLE MATERIALS FROM LANDFILLS. CUSTOMERS ARE PROVIDED A LOW COST OPTION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR HOMES. NET PROFITS FROM THE RESTORE ARE DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING MINISTRY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF NORTHERN COLUMBIANA COUNTY.

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND HOMEOWNER EDUCATION FOR PARTNER FAMILIES. POTENTIAL PARTNER FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN HOMEOWNER EDUCATION CLASSES AND ARE COUNSELED ABOUT THEIR FINANCES IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN AFFORD A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE. TOPICS COVERED IN THE HOMEOWNER EDUCATION CLASSES INCLUDE PET OWNERSHIP, COOKING ON A BUDGET, FOOD SAFETY, HOME MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING, BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR, INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING, LAWN CARE AND LANDSCAPING, AND IDENTITY THEFT. THE FINANCIAL EDUCATION INCLUDES EXPLANATION OF A CREDIT REPORT, DEBT AND CREDIT MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETING. EXISTING PARTNER FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ON-GOING CLASSES ALSO. MUCH OF THE EDUCATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH DONATIONS OF TIME AND MATERIALS BY VOLUNTEERS.