Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Honoring MLK with a Day of Service

           On January 19th, Habitat for Humanity will partner with members of the community to honor MLK by participating in the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. A group of 25 volunteers from YMCA, Goleta Valley Beautiful. and individuals from the community will be working together to complete "A Brush with Kindness" project.

   

          Part of the United We Serve program, MLK Jr. Day of Service is one of President Obama's national call to service initiatives. The program calls for Americans from all different backgrounds and walks of life to work together for the day to assist and help with some of the nation's pressing social issues, such as hunger, poverty, and substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country are participating in various service projects to serve their communities and neighbors.  

 

          One of Habitat for Humanity's active programs, "A Brush with Kindness" seeks to help low-income house owners that have difficulty restoring their homes to maintain a safe a decent place to live by coming together as a community to provide exterior home repairs. By offering affordable means of exterior home improvements, the program helps homeowners to reclaim their dignity and pride of homeownership and helps to maintain the value of the home. Complementing Habitat for Humanity's new home construction programs that bring affordable homes to low-income families, all partner families must meet with Habitat for Humanity's low-income requirements, as well as show a need for crucial exterior repairs and the willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity.

          Volunteer shifts are still available for the MLK Jr. Day of Service on January 19th. The morning shift will be from 9am to 12:00pm, followed by the afternoon shift from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Interested volunteers can contact the Habitat office at mail@sbhabitat.org or 805-692-2226. 

         “Dr. King famously said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?’” said Jon Peterson, Habitat for Humanity SSBC’s CEO. “Habitat for Humanity is committed to helping individuals and families maintain and build a decent place to live. We are thankful for the hundreds of volunteers who heed Dr. King’s call and join us in providing decent and affordable shelter both locally and globally.”



Open House of the Completed Canon Perdido Affordable Homes

You are invited to the Canon Perdido Open House

With just the last details left on the homes of the Canon Perdido Project, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County would like to invite you to an open house event on Saturday, November 15th 2014. The project homes are located at 822 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara CA 93103.

Designed by architects Ryan Mills and Ed DeVicente, the units range from 750-1,200 square feet each and are 100% affordable and very low income units. The project includes 2 three-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 2 one-bedroom units, which are all completely accessible to disabled persons.

Built in line with Passive House standards, the project aimed to achieve “near zero” energy usage on the homes by combining passive components such as window placements, insulation, Energy Star appliances and building wrap with “active components such as solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. With the finishing touches being added, these homes will be the first affordable housing development in Southern California certified as a “Passive House”, and the homes will have a 70-80% reduction in energy use over the current energy code requirements.

Before the homeowners move in, Habitat for Humanity would love to welcome the community to tour the finished develeopment of the homes and the future homeowners will be offerring tours of their new homes throughout the day! Georgia's Smokehouse gourmet food truck, offering a full menu, will be parked onsite from 11:30-1:30pm.

We would like to thank the donors, volunteers, and community for this joint effort in successfully completing this project and would like to share with the community and those interested in what Habitat for Humanity has been involved with for the past two years!

Please come join us and we hope to see you soon.

Construction update on the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is 85% complete with construction. In July Habitat welcomed volunteer groups from Curvature, Procore, and Reality Church, as well as many individuals, who helped prime, paint, hang drywall, install base board and much more at the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes site. 

Construction progress at the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes site. 

Volunteers from Curvature pose for a group photo.

Volunteers from ProCore working on the 2nd floor balcony railing. 

Volunteers from Reality Church pose before the workday begins. 

Volunteers provide a bulk of our labor and allow Habitat to keep construction costs at a minimum. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who have helped with framing, insulation, drywall, painting and much more. We are able to provide permanent and affordable housing for low-income families because of your time and support.

We are in the final weeks of construction. If you haven't volunteered yet, there is still time. Individual volunteers can sign up for shifts directly online.  If you are interested in confirming a group workday for your business or organization, please contact Habitat by email or at 692-2226.

500,000 Habitat houses...and building towards 1 million!

Vote to help Habitat for Humanity win $50,000!

Montecito Bank & Trust has selected Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County to be one of the nine local non-profits competing to be the beneficiary for the 2012 Santa Barbara Triathlon. Donations from this annual event could reach $50,000 which would substantially support Habitat as we raise funds for the Canon Perdido Affordable homes project which will provide homes for 12 local families.

The critical factor in Habitat for Humanity being selected is your vote!  

Please take a moment and click on the link below. Select Habitat for Humanity from the list of organizations to submit your vote. It takes less than 30 seconds so please do it today!

Cast your vote: http://www.montecito.com/Depts/Community/Survey4Charity.aspx  

Only one vote per person is allowed. Please share this email with your family, friends, coworkers and any one else you can think of and ask that they vote for Habitat. Voters do not need to live in Santa Barbara.

If selected, Habitat for Humanity will devote the funds to the construction of the 12 new low-income homes that we are building on Canon Perdido Street. These 12 homes will provide safe, decent and affordable housing for hard-working and deserving families in our community.  

  

The high price of housing in Santa Barbara means that hundreds of low-income families are forced to live in overcrowded apartments or converted garages, many of which do not meet minimum health and safety standards. Our immediate goal is to help 12 families move from substandard housing into their own home and with your help, and your vote, we can accomplish this goal.  

Thank you in advance for taking the time to make your voice and your vote heard today.  We would also like to thank Montecito Bank & Trust for their generous support of Habitat and other worthy organizations in Santa Barbara.

Just think, with one click you can help Habitat raise $50,000!

Stand up for 1 billion people around the world

More than 1 billion people live in slums. That's a heartbreaking figure. With our world's population continually growing this number is increasing at an alarming rate. 

Habitat for Humanity is taking a key role in making sure our government and elected officials address the issue of inadequate shelter. As our government continues to debate our current debt situation we hope you will join Habitat for Humanity International in urging your member of Congress to support The Shelter, Land, and Urban Management (SLUM) Act of 2011. According to Habitat for Humanity Int'l: "This legislation will make sure that U.S. foreign assistance uses taxpayer money smartly to address the reality of housing in our urbanizing world." 

Here's a sample of the message that can be sent to your member of Congress from Habitat For Humanity International's Advocacy page:

Message

Support the SLUM Act: A smarter solution to a global problem
Dear [Decision Maker],


As a supporter of Habitat for Humanity I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor The Shelter, Land and Urban Management (SLUM) Assistance Act of 2011.

U.S. foreign assistance programs account for about one percent of the total U.S. budget. Although current budget pressures demand that we use our resources wisely and effectively, the lack of a coherent U.S. policy addressing the growing challenges of global urbanization are undermining critical investments in health care, education, and disaster recovery in developing countries.

Conditions associated with slums are abysmal. Inadequate shelter, overcrowding, lack of water and basic sanitation, widespread disease, poor air quality, and higher risk of violence plague the lives of slum dwellers. Rapid urbanization and the growth of slums could lead to water scarcity, food insecurity, environmental degradation, increased instability within developing countries, and long-term financial and national security burdens on the United States. The challenge is only getting greater, with 1 billion slum dwellers today and expectations that this number will grow to 2 billion by 2030.

The United States was once an international leader in promoting policies and investments that improved the lives of slum dwellers. However, in recent years the capacity within our civilian agencies to address urban development challenges has diminished significantly.

The SLUM Assistance Act will establish sustainable urban development and management as a major objective of U.S. foreign assistance and reinvigorate programs that increase access to tenure security, basic shelter, and urban services and infrastructure. It will also promote the growth of functional housing markets and support reforms that seek to enhance the rights and access to shelter for those disproportionally discriminated against, including women, children and the urban poor.

Please support the SLUM Assistance Act of 2011 and thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Thank you for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Calling All Volunteers

We need your help! It's summertime and you know what that means...long and sunny days. What better way to spend your summer than by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers are crucial to our programs and we wouldn't be able to operate our ReStore in Goleta without volunteers.

Why volunteer at the Habitat ReStore: 

1. The ReStore has kept over 300 tons of building materials from our local landfills. ie: you're being GREEN
2. The ReStore provides an affordable way for families to make improvements to their homes.
3. All proceeds from the ReStore go directly back to Habitat and help us build low-income housing for families in need.

It really is easy to sign-up to volunteer online: sign up to volunteer. The program will walk you though our online volunteer orientation or you can attend one in person next Saturday, July 9th at 11am here at the ReStore.  

Volunteer Rachel, a college student home for the summer!

President Carter: Decent Housing is a Basic Human Right

In yesterday's issue of the Gardian, Former President Jimmy Carter published a piece why decent housing is a basic human right and how each of us are morally obligated to act with a sense of urgency to house those in our communities who do not have a roof over their head.

"In order to create true, sweeping changes in providing decent housing, we must begin to talk about this human necessity as a basic human right. This is not something that families around the world can only wish to have, not something that only the luckiest can hope to realize, but something that everyone should have an opportunity to achieve.

When we understand the magnitude of housing needs and their different forms in communities worldwide, we will recognize that as more fortunate people we are morally obligated to act. Once we view the issue of housing in these appropriately urgent terms, we will begin to act in concert more effectively."

Read the full article: Decent Housing is Not Just a Wish, it is a Human Right

Bringing hope and dignity, in the form of decent housing, to the families we serve is part of Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County's mission and it is wonderful to see President Carter echoing these sentiments.


Related post: The Need for Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara

Building Homes - Building Hope

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is proud to share two new perspectives for the 12 new affordable homes we will build on Canon Perdido Street. We couldn't be happier with these architectural designs from DMA Architecture.

On June 2nd the Santa Barbara Planning Commission heard our initial conceptual plans for the 12 homes that habitat will build on Canon Perdido Street. The project was received very favorably, adn they have agreed to support our bonus density and parking reductions. The project will next be presented to the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review at the end of June for a concept review. The ABR committee's comments will be incorporated into our design guidelines.  

A perspective from the back common area.

A street view from Canon Perdido.

Habitat's Ultimate Goal

The ultimate goal of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by building adequate and basic housing. Furthermore, all of our words and actions are for the ultimate purpose of putting shelter on the hearts and minds of people in such a powerful waythat poverty housing and homelessness become socially, politically and religiously unacceptable in our nations and world.

 --Statement of Habitat for Humanity’s “Ultimate Goal”

Here in Santa Barbara we are striving to accomplish this this goal by building safe, decent and affordable homes for local families in-need.

Raising a wall at Habitat for Humanity's first major home project in Santa Barbara.

Blueprints & Blue Jeans Benefit for the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes Project

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County recently hosted a Blueprints and Blue Jeans benefit where we unveiled the blueprints to the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes Project. It was a wonderful event, generously underwritten by Mentor Worldwide, LLC. 

Volunteer servers from Westmont College and UCSB.

Special thanks for Tammy Kronen Catering

 

 

 

 

The event was catered by Tammy Kronen Catering and guests enjoyed wonderful bluegrass from musicians David West, Blaine Sprouse, and Peter Feldmann. It was a wonderful event and Habitat is enormously thankful to Mentor Worldwide for sponsoring the event.

Canon Perdido Project Receives Support of Santa Barbara Planning Commission

In case you missed today's Noozhawk article, the Santa Barbara Planning Commission yesterday voiced support for the 12 new homes that Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County plans to build on Canon Perdido Street. This was just an initial meeting and we're thrilled to have their support for this project which we are confident will successfully transform the lives of 12 hardworking and deserving low-income families in Santa Barbara. 

Habitat for Humanity Condo Project Receives Support of Santa Barbara Planning Commission

"[Commissioner John] Jostes said the project fit in “quite well” into the neighborhood and didn’t have issues with the height. “There’s clear support for this project because it zeroes in and fills a need,” Jostes said. “You’ve got a reputation as you come to the table here, and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing you folks involved in making it happen....'"

Read the full article:
Habitat for Humanity Condo Project Receives Support of Santa Barbara Planning Commission - Noozhawk.com

Related post: Blueprints to 12 new sustainable homes for families in need

How are Habitat Partner Families Selected?

We're often asked how partner families are selected. Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County does not build homes for families, rather we build alongside families who demonstrate the need and willingness to partner with us. After a family applies, our family selection committee chooses partner families based on their level of need as well as the following criteria: 

• They currently reside in deteriorated, unsafe or overcrowded conditions;  
• Have a total family income between 40-60% of area median income or $29,600 to $44,400 for a family of four;
• Ability to make monthly mortgage payments designed to fit within 30-35% of the family's income;
• Committed to investing 250 hours per adult family member of their own "sweat equity" labor into their houses, along with attending a training curriculum that addresses topics such as mortgages, insurance, and other homeowner responsibilities.   

We will open the application process for our next Habitat project in Santa Barbara, the Canon Perdido homes,  in 2012. If you would like to be on our waiting list, please email mail@sbhabitat.org

 

Blueprints to 12 new sustainable homes for families in need

In December 2010 Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County acquired a 19,000 square-foot lot (about half an acre) thanks to Redevelopment Agency funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara. This new property is on located at 822 and 824 E. Cannon Perdido Street near Milpas Street.

On this site, which is situated between a multi-family apartment complex and commercial buildings, Habitat for Humanity SSBC plans to build 12 units. The project will consist of 100% affordable low and very-low income unites including one 1-bedroom units, nine 2-bedroom units, and two 3-bedroom units, which range between 750 and 1,200 square feet each. 

Here are a few of our working pans (designed by architects Ryan Mills and Ed de Vicente, from DMA Architecture). These drawings are going before the Planning Commission for concept review in June and are subject to small changes:

We seek to be environmentally responsible in our construction and the Canon Perdido homes will be designed according to Passive House principles. Our goal is to achieve "net zero" energy usable on these homes by combining passive components such as window placement, insulation and building wrap with "active" components such as solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.  


Further reading: Read about Habitat's sustainable and "green" building initiatives.

Ever Need a Brush with Kindness?

Do you own your home?

Does your house need exterior paint?

Does your yard need new landscaping or fence repairs?

Are you low-income or on a fixed income?

If you (or someone you know) answered yes to any of the above you may qualify for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County's A Brush with Kindness home repair program.

A Brush with Kindness (ABWK) assists homeowners impacted by age, disability and family circumstances who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes.  Our aim is to allow these homeowners to reclaim the pride and dignity of homeownership by offering an affordable means of exterior home improvement to maintain the value of the home.

ABWK joins forces with other nonprofits, corporate partners, an volunteers to repair, repaint, and landscape homes. We are looking for homeowners to receive help from the A Brush with Kindness program.

If you would like to receive help or want more information, please read our Homeowner eligibility checklist or contact Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County at 805-692-2226 or by email. Family income must be under 80% of Santa Barbara's area median income so be sure to check the income chart here. 

A Brush with Kindness driveway before and after.

A Brush with Kindness fence before and after.

What We Build.

There is a great need for affordable housing in Santa Barbara. Here on the beautiful Central Coast of California, wage rates have not kept pace with the skyrocketing costs of housing. For low income families homeownership is a very distant dream. Low-income working families earning between $30,000 to $50,000 a year often spend more than half of their income on housing and often these families are forced to live in overcrowded apartments or unconverted garages, many of which do not meet minimum health and safety standards. 

At Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County we are working to eliminate substandard housing in our community. We provide homes for those who often cannot afford rent. In 2008, the average monthly mortgage payment for a Habitat home in Santa Barbara was $480, far less than the average rental price at the time which was $1,600. By providing safe, decent, affordable homes, Habitat opens a door for low-income families, allowing them the opportunity for increased self-esteem and self-reliance. With the stability of a permanent home, families can devote increased attention to jobs, education, and health.

Habitat for Humanity International premiered this fantastic video at last month's National Affiliate Conference in Atlanta. It sums up all of the above and we hope you'll be as moved by the video as we were. It answers the question: What We Build?

Habitat for Humanity in the Wall Street Journal

Habitat for Humanity was recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal for having a very low foreclosure rate. At a time when foreclosures are common place, this is another example of how Habitat is truly helping families maintain an affordable place to live. The article quotes a recent study that found the Dallas Habitat affiliate had a less than 2% foreclosure rate. 

Although the study only focused on Dallas, nationwide Habitat affiliates have had a very low foreclosure rate - including our affiliate here in Santa Barbara County. We are proud to say that we have had no foreclosures to date. This can be attributed to a number of factors: 

1. Habitat for Humanity's partner families are required to but in 250 sweat equity hours into the construction of their homes. Partner families have invested more than just their money into the homes.   
2. Habitat provides a Family Partnership Curriculum to prepare each family for the responsibilities of being a homeowner. The goal of the 16-month program is to give families the tools to become successful homeowners, and includes topics such as insurance, mortgages, resale restrictions, insurance, budgeting, credit, the affordability covenant, home maintenance, and how to run a homeowner’s association. All of the topics are taught by professionals in the field and each family has a dedicated mentor to help them through the process.
3. Habitat maintains a relationship with the partner families after the keys are handed over. We want each and every family to succeed and consider our partner families to be a part of the Habitat family. 

Be sure to read the full Wall Street Journal article: For Habitat for Humanity, Foreclosures Small Issue

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.