Habitat for Humanity of Tulare County has been serving the community since 1994. Their mission is to build affordable houses for low-income families while earning sweat equity in the process. They also offer low-cost home repair and rehab services to people who are already living in poor conditions. To learn more about the organization, read about the services they offer. Then, get involved by becoming a member or volunteer. The organization is based in Tulare County, but they also serve Kings County.
Homeownership Program
Throughout Tulare County, many people have dreams of owning a home of their own. Habitat for Humanity of Tulare County is committed to building a quality home for low-income families in the area. Since 1994, Habitat has worked with the community to build more than 35 new homes, one of them being a “green build” house in Visalia. Habitat volunteers work alongside low-income families to make these dreams a reality. Habitat homeowners pay off their mortgages through sweat equity, which means working on other houses.
The home-building program aims to help homeowners with limited income buy and repair their new homes. Habitat partners with homeowners with 80% or less of their AMI to complete repair projects on their homes. The homeowners then buy their new home from Habitat using a special Habitat mortgage or no-interest loan. Usually, the monthly mortgage payments cannot exceed 30% of the homeowner-partners’ income. Habitat builds homes from the ground up, or renovates existing homes. Volunteers work alongside Habitat to improve and maintain the homes.
Home Repair Program
The Habitat for Humanity of Tuare County’s Home Repair Program helps qualifying homeowners and renters make repairs to their homes at a low cost. Services range from safety and energy efficiency upgrades to painting and landscaping. Volunteers and contractors work together to complete projects. In addition, Habitat offers low-interest loans for homeowners in need of repairs. Veterans and senior citizens also qualify for special rates on these loans.
The Habitat for Humanity of Tuare County’s Home Repair Program is designed to provide repair assistance to low-income homeowners in need. Volunteers from service organizations, businesses, congregations, and community agencies work together to help homeowners make necessary repairs. The nonprofit will help pay for the cost of repairs through no-interest payments. And because volunteers are able to work together to provide services for free, Habitat is able to keep costs low and help more families get back on their feet.
Signature fundraising event
The Habitat 5K is a signature fundraising event for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. The event features a bourbon flight and signature cocktail, heavy appetizers, and a local jazz trio. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase. All proceeds go towards Habitat’s programs in Summit County, including the construction of affordable homes for deserving families.
The 17th Annual Birdhouse Auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties and will feature handmade birdhouses created by local artists. This event also features a silent auction and live entertainment. Ticket prices are $600 for a table of eight, or $1,200 for a single ticket. You can register online or at the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Habitat for Humanity of Tuare County website.
Mission
The executive director position at Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties was recently filled with the hiring of Robert Hughes. Hughes lives in Springville and has worked at Habitat for Humanity in Porterville and other Central Valley cities. He will succeed Dirk Holkeboer. He has been with Habitat for Humanity for 14 years. The new executive director is responsible for leading the organization’s ongoing operations and achieving its goals.
Established in 1994, Habitat for Humanity of Visalia began as a volunteer organization that focused on building homes for low-income families. Founders of the group completed the organization’s first house in December 1995. After a few years, the group expanded their service area to Tulare County. In 2003, they changed their name to Habitat for Humanity of Tulare County. Its mission remains the same: to provide decent, affordable homes to all those in need of them.