Arkansas City
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian ministry
whose mission is to partner with qualified families in need and provide
them the opportunity for safe, decent, affordable housing.
Applications
will be accepted from February – May 15th. The
partner family will be selected by the first of June,
The house will begin building in September and be
finished by the end of February.
House #22 for 2022-2023 Partner Family is the Billiter Family.
NEWS RELEASE:
The ground was broken on Thursday, September 15th, for the 22nd Habitat House set to be built in Arkansas City. The new home will be located at 314 North 9th Street. Michelle Billiter and her children, son Dawson and daughter Lillyanna will be the residents of the home. Ms. Billiter and her children were on hand for the groundbreaking, each managing a shovel to share in the exciting event. Volunteers will be on hand soon to begin construction, with completion anticipated by early spring.
Michelle and her children and family are eager to help in the building of their new home. Michelle chose the site from the Habitat for Humanity lots. Michelle, and her two children, Dawson age 12 and Lillyanna age 11, are very excited about the building of their new 1,334 sq ft home that will include 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Michelle is employed by Woods Day Care.
This year's habitat home is being built by funds provided through mortgage payments, donations, fundraisers and by the generous lead donation provided by the Robert Warrender Trust. Volunteers and trade experts in the community will complete the construction of the home. "We are blessed to be a part of this housing ministry," said Curt Freeland, Arkansas City Habitat for Humanity Board Chair. "We have been well supported by the city, our volunteers and trade specialist who give of their time so generously. Their time and support, as well as generous donations we receive from our community members allow us to provide safe and affordable housing in Arkansas City for families like the Billiter's."
Each house is sold to the family chosen for approximately two thirds of its market value. The recipient is also required to provide 300 hours of sweat equity during construction. No closing costs or interest are charged on the mortgage. Families are chosen through an application and review process based on need and financial ability to repay the mortgage.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry whose vision is to provide a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity International was established in 1976, and the Habitat for Humanity Arkansas City affiliate began building homes in 2000 and has built one new habitat home each year since then.
To get a better understanding of what Habitat for
Humanity does, please watch these videos.
The Leyva Family 2016-2017 Recipients
WHAT WE DO
Habitat homes are constructed primarily by volunteers, using
both donated and purchased building materials. It takes
approximately six months to complete a Habitat house.
Our partner families fulfill their required 300 hours of sweat
equity by helping build their home and by assisting with Habitat
fund raisers. Some of our houses are partially sponsored by
churches, businesses, organizations, or individuals.
We sell our houses at no profit, offering our partner families a
20-year, interest-free mortgage. Monthly payments range between
$450 and $500, depending on taxes and insurance. The monthly
payments are then used to help fund the building of more houses.
We also tithe 10% of our income to Mexico Habitat for Humanity
which is normally enough to build one house in Mexico for each
house we build locally. Donations, which are tax deductible, are
always welcome.
HOME OWNERSHIP
Becoming one of our partner families is the beginning of a
long-term relationship with us. To become a partner family, the
applicant must:
Demonstrate a need for better housing
Have
enough yearly income to meet the financial responsibilities
of home ownership
Be
willing to partner with us by providing 300 hours of sweat
equity working on their Habitat house.
Once an application is completed, it is carefully reviewed by
the Family Selection Committee of the Arkansas City Habitat for
Humanity organization and a home visit is made. Qualified
applicants need to be approved by the Arkansas City Habitat for
Humanity Board of Directors.
HOW to
VOLUNTEER
While most volunteers choose to work on-site, there are several
other opportunities for volunteering in our organization. All of
the committees are made up of community volunteers including:
Family Selection Committee
Family Support Committee
Fund
Raising Committees
To
volunteer, contact us by:
phone, 441-3755
mail, P.O. Box 401
website, ArkCityHabitat.org
email cfreeland@cox.net
We will provide additional information on opportunities for you
to volunteer.
The location of our current worksite can be obtained by calling
the above number. Anyone over the age of 14 can volunteer,
though there are some limitations for volunteers between 14-18
years of age.
