Habitat for Humanityof Lee County, FL

1288 N. Tamiami TrailNorth Fort Myers, Florida 33903www.habitat4humanity.org

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Current Resident or

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PAIDFt. Myers, FLPermit #406

Trywanda Johnson had never fallen behind on her Habitat mortgage. But when the bill came for an unexpected medical procedure, for the first time, Trywanda found herself faced with a tough reality. “I was scared. If I paid for my medical, I wasn’t going to be able to make my mortgage payment. I didn’t know if I was going to lose my house,” says Johnson.

Between the deteriorating economy and homeowners experiencing unexpected issues like Trywanda’s, in early 2009 Habitat saw significant increases in homeowners’ falling behind in their mortgage payments. Rather than let the inevitable occur, the decision was made to be proactive in helping homeowners stay in their homes, and a staff member was dedicated to work with homeowners to help them find assistance, improve budgeting skills, and catch up on their mortgage payments.

Thanks to the disciplined but compassionate implementation of staff member Lucy Keys, the program

has been very successful, and to date 198 families have gotten back on track with their payments. “This program is designed to put pro-activity into the hands of our homeowners. It only works if they are willing to work for it,” says Lucy.

Ken Carrion is one of those homeowners willing to work for it. “When you have a stressful situation and you don’t know how to handle it, it can make your mind go crazy. I remember my kids crying, asking if God put us in this house, why would he take us from it. The stress from my wife and kids was making me stressed,” Carrion shared.

Ken notified Habitat when he realized he wasn’t going to have the income to pay his mortgage. Lucy assessed

the situation with Ken and determined with better budgeting, this could be a one-time concern for the family. “Habitat showed me what agencies in the community would help with some of my expenses. That freed up money in our budget to stay in our home,” he says.

Habitat has a different approach with each case. “For some who don’t budget

well, we set them up with smaller payments made bi-monthly so that by the end of the month, they’ve make their entire mortgage payment in full. Then there’s others who need help finding a job, so we put them in touch with the opportunities we know are hiring,” Keys replies.

Today, Ken and his family have a new budget they live by, based on the family’s fewer dollars until Ken goes back to work. “My family can’t thank Habitat enough. They helped us stay in our home with pride. They didn’t let us off the hook, they showed us those resources that are available to homeowners who are experiencing a hardship,” Carrion exclaimed. “Habitat for Humanity is the best thing that has ever happened to us. They’re not giving away anything.”

The program was designed under Habitat’s model of providing working homeowners with the tools necessary to be successful. Keys added, “This doesn’t mean we do the work for them. It means we educate those in need on what is available and we put the work in their hands.”

Fai th , Fami ly, Framework

Summer 2010

F MILY FOUNDA IONS

Features:

Still A Need For Habitat page 2

BOA Benefits Habitat page 3

They’re GRRREAT! page 4

They’re GRRRREAT!

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, FL | Summer 2010 Newsletter | Page 4

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“They helped us stay in our home with pride.”

Winn Dixie and Kellogg have been supporters of Habitat’s affordable housing mission since 2005. Over the years, the partnership has included a sponsorship of 16 homes, including their most recent here in Lee County.

The team of Winn Dixie, Kellogg and Habitat staff joined future homeowner Leshaun in celebrating the rehabilitation of her future home. Tony the Tiger himself even made an appearance!

After the celebration and a prayer, Kellogg and Winn Dixie staff picked up hammers and paint brushes to begin the renovations. Excitement continued to build about Habitat’s mission and the opportunity to serve not only financially, but with volunteer hours as well.

The Cape Coral home will be dedicated in early summer. Both companies as well as Habitat staff and friends and family of Leshaun and her two children will come together for a dedication ceremony of the family’s home. When you are in Winn Dixie stores or buying a box of Keebler cookies please thank the great staff at Winn Dixie for their support in the community!

ContaCt UsPresident & CEO

Kitty Greenpresident@habitat4humanity.org

Executive VP & CFORichard Shera, Jr.

cfo@habitat4humanity.org

Executive VP & COOTanya Soholt

coo@habitat4humanity.org

VP of CommunicationsTrisha Goins

publicrelations@habitat4humanity.org

VP of ConstructionJackie Williams

vpconstruction@habitat4humanity.org

VP of DevelopmentKaren Quanstrom

development@habitat4humanity.org

VP of FinanceClara Sanchez

finance@habitat4humanity.org

VP of Resale & Maintenance DivisionRoger Waltrip

thriftstore@habitat4humanity.org

VP of Volunteer ServicesTerri Rausch

vpvolunteers@habitat4humanity.org

Family Servicesfamilyservices@habitat4humanity.org

Habitat Senior Housinginformation@habitatseniorhousing.org

Habitat Office1288 North Tamiami Trail

North Fort Myers, FL 33903Ph: 239-652-0434 Fax: 239-652-0386

www.habitat4humanity.org

Habitat Thrift Store1288 North Tamiami Trail

North Fort Myers, FL 33903Ph: 239-652-0388

Board of direCtors

James AdamsDonny Andrews - Secretary

Glenn BaileyBrian Crowley

Dave DaleMiguel Fernandez III

Joann GoldenWillie Green

Charles Idelson - Chairman Brian Lucas

Denis Noah - Vice ChairmanDebbie PratherGeorge Reider

Scott RobertsonSandy Robinson

Duane Swanson, Jr.Evette Teal-Richardson

Sharon Thompson - TreasurerBill Valenti

Like many interested in homeownership today, Misty Gaillardetz wanted to have a place for her three kids to call home. But even with home prices within reach and a stable job, Misty had been denied a conventional mortgage by several lenders. “There’s so much research and

studies out there on how it’s important for your children to have a home instead of renting. It’s better for their upbringing and for their future if they have that stable environment. But every lender I applied with basically said I would never be able to make that happen,” Gaillardetz expresses.

Unfortunately, for low-income families, even deeply discounted foreclosures are out of reach and applications from potential homeowners for Habitat homes are up this year over 2008 and 2009. Habitat’s model combining volunteer labor with a no profit and no interest mortgage brings homeowners within reach.

In Misty’s case, lenders claimed she didn’t make enough to support a mortgage and three children. Friends

of Misty suggested Habitat’s homeownership program. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my life. Habitat is there to help you, but it’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up. You have to be willing to work for homeownership,” adds Gaillardetz.

In the end, Misty found she was better off owning a home through Habitat for Humanity. “If you add up the interest you’re paying on your mortgage throughout your life with a bank, it’s crazy how much you’re actually paying on your home after the fact,” Misty states. “And I don’t have

to worry about that. I have a zero percent interest mortgage! Zero is my favorite number when it comes to that. I love my children and I can now provide them with a home. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

There’s Still a Need For Habitat

Bank of America provided a multi-million dollar grant to Habitat International targeting affordable housing throughout the United States. Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, Inc. was selected as one of the recipients of this grant. In addition to the grant, local Bank of America branches have contributed financially while providing volunteers to renovate a home.

This was the first home sponsorship where Bank of America rehabbed a home instead of building from the ground up. Bank employees expressed overwhelming support for Habitat’s decision to rehab in the community’s current economic state. These individuals understood Habitat’s overall mission to provide families with a safe, decent place to live, while continually evaluating the the process used to complete that goal.

Habitat anticipates dedicating the home to a deserving family in early summer. Thank you Bank of America for being a

partner!

If you or your company are not partners with Habitat’s work in the community, would you consider a financial contribution to our mission? Your dollars impact Lee and Hendry families,

creating a more stable economy for residents. We need you now more than ever! Call us today to find out how you can get involved by investing in your future through Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, (239)652-0434 ext: 1677.

Bank Of america Benefits HaBitat

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, FL | Summer 2010 Newsletter | Page 2

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with us1288 N. Tamiami Trail

North Fort Myers, FL 33903Ph: 239-652-0388

Mon.-Fri., 9am - 5pm

Find new and used furniture, household items and construction materials in Habitat’s Thrift Store for a low price while helping a good cause. Try our store for your next remodeling project!

Every dollar you spend with us provides affordable housing for those in need. Recycle your stuff by donating it to our store! And ask us about free donation pickups on large items!

Renovations Are Vital To Community StabilizationTake one look at Misty’s picture above. She and her three children just closed on their home with Habitat for Humanity of Lee County. Misty’s smile leaves us with a sense of joy because a mother’s dream to provide for her family has come true. Would your feelings change if we told you the house Misty and her three kids now own is not a newly built Habitat house? In fact, its previous owners donated the vacant home to Habitat and volunteers renovated the interior for Misty and her family.

Over the last few years, Lee County and many other communities across the nation have experienced a glut of unsold homes on the market. The increase in foreclosed properties has further reduced the need for new housing.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission has always been to provide families with an affordable, safe and decent place to live. In the past, this could only be achieved by building homes with Habitat’s volunteer crew to cut costs. Today, that financial equation has changed. It now costs less to rehab an existing abandoned home.

In addition to being the most prudent option

financially, putting families back into homes abandoned serves to revitalize neighborhoods and stabalize property values.

In fiscal year 2009/2010, Habitat expects to complete 60 homes, 57 of which will be remodeled existing homes, with only three built new. The rehabbed homes will get new appliances, flooring and paint, as well as cabinets and any other improvements needed. Rehabbing requires fewer volunteers and different kinds of work, but most volunteers understand it’s currently the best way to put families in homes. “Prying up old floor tiles isn’t as much fun as raising walls, but we know it’s what’s needed right now, and it won’t be that way forever,” said Bob Syverson, a regular Habitat volunteer.

At a recent planning meeting, Habitat’s Board of Directors acknowledged that rehabbing existing homes will likely be the most efficient use of resources for at least a couple more years. In the meantime, they directed staff to evaluate the non-profit’s land holdings in preparation for the future, to potentially take advantage of the low land values in Lee and Hendry counties.

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Housing is Still Too Expensive• According to the National Low Income Housing Council’s April 2010 report, a worker needs to earn $20.29 per hour in order to afford a modest rental home. But the average renter in Florida earns $13.23 per hour. This leaves the average renter either living in substandard housing or directing a greater proportion of wages to housing - leaving less for food, health care, education and other basic needs.

• 22,844 rental households in Lee County are considered “cost-burdened”, meaning they pay more than 30% of their gross income for housing.

• Home prices are currently low in Lee County. But for the same $85,000 home purchase: • a Habitat family will pay $1,200 down, versus $17,000 or 20% down for a conventional loan; • make principal payments of $283/month versus $457/month; • and pay at 0% interest over 25 years compared to a 5% interest over 30 years (that’s if the buyer even qualifies for 5%).

Over the life of their mortgage, Habitat homeowners will pay $85,000; a family using a conventional loan will pay $165,000.