Can Make a Difference!
Who Benefits from Habitat for Humanity?
Who Benefits from Habitat for Humanity?
Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, whenever possible, uses donated monies, building sites, services, and materials for each building project. Volunteer labor assures that construction costs are minimized. Habitat is not a give away program, but a joint venture in which those who benefit are involved in the work at every level. Families pay for their homes through a low cost, no interest mortgage. That money is then reinvested in future Habitat homes for more families in need. Each homeowner family is required to invest a minimum of 300 hours of "SWEAT EQUITY" into the construction of their home and / or homes for others. This increases the dignity and pride of ownership among family members, fosters the development of positive relationships in the community while reducing the cost of the house. Every home is completed at no profit to Habitat, whose sole purpose is to make decent shelter available to as many families as possible without regard to race or religion. (Habitat adheres to all nondiscriminatory selection policies).
In virtually every community, including ours, families struggle to survive in harsh and often deplorable living conditions. Many towns in this area are below government requirements for affordable housing. Habitat works with low income working people and gives them the boost they need to break free from the relentless cycle of poverty! These are disadvantaged people who are willing to make a real commitment to owning their own homes. In addition to low income people there are people with physical disabilities, limited incomes, pensions, social security, disability payments, single income families, and seasonal renters who have to move every spring. All are faced with the possibility of being forced to live in poverty housing. The magic of Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity is that we can build homes that will frequently cost less than rent for substandard housing. Prospective Habitat homeowners are chosen by our Family Selection Committee, based on:
- Resident of our area
- Severity of need
- Willingness to partner
- Ability to meet monthly mortgage payments
- Invest 300 hours of "sweat equity" in the construction process.
CLICK HERE to download our home application form
34 Barstow Street
P.O. Box 1584
Mattapoisett, MA 02739
Phone - 508.758.4517 or - Email Us
Jon Kirk Smith – President
Jane Coleman – Vice President/Family Selection
Stephen Sooy – Treasurer/Fundraising Committee
Susan Paladino, LICSW – Secretary
Paul Gerrior – Site Selection & Building Committee
Charles Gricus – Site Selection Committee
George McTurk – Fundraising Committee
Robert Shields –Church Relations
Sherburne Worthen –Family Selection
Current volunteer opportunities are in the office - check back to see when building continues on site. Register by pressing the Volunteer Now! button and filling out the form with your interests. You will receive emails when opportunities in your areas of interest become available.