The Need for Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara

It is generally accepted that housing costs should be no more than 30% of a household's total income. However in Santa Barbara, the average rent is well over that for a low-income family. The high price of housing in Santa Barbara means that hundreds of low-income, hard-working families live in overcrowded apartments or converted garages, many of which do not meet minimum health and safety standards. Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara is committed to building affordable and decent housing for very low income families in our community. With the completion of our second affordable housing complex in 2010, we have provided nearly 30 people with owner-occupied housing.     Habitat for Humanity does not build houses for families; rather, we build alongside those who demonstrate the need and the willingness to partner with us. Families meet the following criteria: Currently reside in deteriorated, unsafe or overcrowded conditions; Total family income between 40% and 60% of area median income. Ability to make monthly mortgage payments designed to fit within 35% of the family's income; and, Commit to investing 500 hours of their own "sweat equity" into the houses. The need for affordable housing extends beyond this and over the course of the next few months we will be highlighting the desperate need for affordable housing in Santa Barbara. Stay tuned for more. Link: read Habitat's full March newsletter.