HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S new development at Whitney Young Circle in San Francisco produced four times more applications than homes available. Selecting families for the Habitat program is a lengthy process that is both technical and painstaking, but highly rewarding. Vetting applications involves an in-house income review, checks for credit-worthiness and acceptable debt-to-income ratio from Habitat’s partner bank, a home interview, and finally a discussion by Habitat’s family selection committee, including a group of trained volunteers. At each step of the way families are objectively screened. Those eligible to move forward in the process are celebrated.

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THE IMPACT OF Habitat for Humanity’s work is life-altering, both for the working families who build a better life for their children through homeownership as well as thousands who contribute their volunteer time or money to help eliminate poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity’s success is measured by tangible outcomes of homes built and the nearly 150 families served. But Habitat also measures success through the significant impact that it has on society, including four key areas in particular.

Habitat’s impact on the ECONOMY

WITH 138 HOMES built and 100 more in the pipeline over the next five years, Habitat Greater San Francisco contributes to the bottom line of local communities in a number of key ways. Habitat Greater San Francisco homes have a total assessed value of more than $28 million, representing Habitat’s investment in the community. In 2008, Habitat Greater San Francisco homeowners paid more than $200,000 in property taxes and are expected to contribute another $1.5 million to the local tax base by the year 2014, providing support for community needs such as schools, roads, bridges, police, and fire departments.

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A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY home provides far more than a roof overhead; it provides a foundation for children to succeed. Research has shown that quality, stable housing is correlated with educational success. For many families, homeownership means an end to frequent moves, which can cause children to fall behind in school and impact their social and emotional well being.

"Two of our daughters graduated from San Francisco State University with accounting majors and got better jobs. One is studying at UC Berkley. This will not happen without Habitat support."
- Aung/Tint Family, 3rd avenue, Daly City.

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OUR GLOBAL ECONOMY is currently undergoing a substantial amount of change; economically, politically, and socially. This change has presented us with a reality that we, as neighbors, need to support each other now more than ever. Many feel a renewed sense of civic engagement. For 20 years, Habitat Greater San Francisco has brought people together with a common purpose to increase the availability of affordable housing in local communities. With neighbor support, Habitat is able to help working families achieve their dream of homeownership.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Greater San Francisco’s commitment to the community goes beyond building homes. It also supports a sustainable environment for families and the future. Over the last decade, there has been a growing consciousness about the built environment’s impact on climate change and health. In fact, experts have cited buildings as the single largest contributor to global warming. The shift to green-building has steadily gained ground, with new approaches to both what and how we build. That means reducing waste, using more energy-efficient and earth-friendly materials, and providing healthier and safer indoor environments.

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WEARING A SHINY CROWN from a birthday party, five-year-old Naomi sits poised and responsive. Asked about the $42 she donated to Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco in January, Naomi’s simple answer belies the enormity of her words: "I want to build homes for people who do not have homes," she says. A kindergartner at Baywood School in San Mateo, Naomi is encouraged by her parents, Michael and Myra, to save 20 percent of her allowance for charity. Naomi saved her money all year in a bright blue piggy bank and says she would like to work with Habitat to build houses. "I could put bricks together and I can paint!" Naomi and her brother Jackson are now saving for their 2009 donations.

"Dear Habitat, this donation is from Naomi. She saved for a year to help people get houses."
– NAOMI’S PARENTS

WHAT DO YOU SEE when you look at a Habitat for Humanity home? A safe, decent, and affordable place to live? A beautiful addition to the neighborhood? Over the past 20 years, Habitat has seen children move on to the better lives their parents hoped for them; families thriving in healthier homes; and volunteers become life-long philanthropists. Habitat for Humanity has connected:
    640 partner family members
    Tens of thousands of volunteers

Together they’ve built 138 homes,
providing a hand up, not a hand-out.

Habitat Greater San Francisco invites you to join the campaign to build the next 100 homes by 2013.

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EDITOR

Jennifer Doettling

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Izles
Richard Hlava

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jocelyn Beaufort
Jennifer Doettling
Tina Duong
Tamsin Goldsmith
Alessandra Pio di Savoia
Sabrina Pourmand
Jamin Sartor
Sharron L. Walker