At our home blessings, the homeowner is passed their key to unlock the door and begin the transition from house to home.  Each homeowner has already worked on the construction or rehabilitation of their home and are ready to begin paying their mortgage at 0% interest, but the passing of the keys is symbolic to the completion of one journey and the beginning of another.

Fittingly, Home is the Key is the name of a signature campaign that Habitat for Humanity International is promoting throughout the month of April.  You may have seen the promotion in USA Today on Friday, April 7.  While Habitat for Humanity officially started its mission 41 years ago, this is the first national campaign of this scale. This now annual campaign is meant to shine a light on Habitat’s work to meet the need for decent, affordable housing throughout the US.

The campaign will profile Habitat’s strategies to help improve communities and will highlight the important role of homeownership in helping families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance.

Just in greater Indianapolis, the Fair Market Rent rate is $809, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition “Out of Reach 2016” study.  Low and moderate income households spend too much of their monthly income, often over 40%, at this rental rate and cannot escape the cyclical poverty challenges.

Our monthly mortgage rates at 0% keep payments below $500 per month, allowing for a household with low or moderate income to stabilize their housing situation, while also strengthening their housing situation.

While a key is the symbol to turn the house into a home, the families are the reason our mission of bringing people together to build homes, community and hope is so needed.  Keep an eye out for the Home is the Key campaign this month.  Share it with others as well.