Impact
No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures. At Habitat for Humanity, this is what unites us. We empower local families through affordable housing.
“I literally would not have made it had it not been for this house. Financially, it’s been a life saver.”
– Esther, Habitat homeowner
Housing is important to the quality of life, health and economic prosperity of the entire community.
Health
Inadequate housing impacts health, especially the health of children. After moving into Habitat homes, asthma and allergies are two conditions that dramatically improve in children.
Education
Stable, healthy housing is one of the most effective strategies for improving school performance in low-income children.
Economic Prosperity
A healthy housing market attracts businesses that depend on a range of housing options for their employees.
Transportation
When people can find good housing that they can afford near their work, it improves our transportation system by decreasing congestion and reducing commuting costs.
Environment
Habitat’s commitment to green building produces energy-efficient homes that are more affordable to maintain. Additionally, building housing near public transportation and thriving job centers results in diminished air pollution and congestion.
What homeownership means for local families:
Meet Danita O’Neil Winters
Danita knows how a home can affect her family’s health. “We were a classic example of the working poor,” said Danita. “We’d never had central air, ever. Four of the kids have asthma, I have asthma which wasn’t a big deal but now that I’ve gotten older, it’s really problematic.” The first summer they had central air and the first winter they didn’t put plastic up on the windows was in their Habitat home. In their old place the furnace didn’t heat properly. Now, they stay warm in the winter and minimize the effects of asthma by maintaining clean air in their home.
Meet Denise Smith
Education is important for the Smith family. Denise and her five children were living in a crowded two-bedroom apartment before becoming Habitat homeowners. Since building her home with Habitat, Denise completed her undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in Library Science. Denise’s oldest son, Chris, graduated from Harrison College and her two youngest children, Courtney and Stefan, attended Purdue University and Cleveland State University, respectively. Dana, her second oldest daughter, graduated from IUPUI, is pursuing a MBA and is a homeowner herself. Denise’s oldest child Stefani, who is developmentally delayed, resides in their home. Denise states that her biggest success is her children and how they have turned out.
1591
Number of families served locally and abroad
170
Number of homeowners paid off their mortgage
