About Us

History

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit organization and non-denominational Christian ministry that builds modest, affordable homes for people in need. Since 1975, HFHI has built more than 300,000 homes, providing shelter for over 1.5 million people worldwide.  Now at work in 100 countries, HFHI builds, on average, one house every 21 minutes.

Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties (Habitat) is an independently organized local affiliate of HFHI that serves Summit and Wasatch Counties, Utah.  Incorporated in 1995, Habitat has built ten homes to date, providing shelter for 15 adults and 24 children in the area. Habitat is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and a small paid staff, and relies almost exclusively on tax-deductible donations of money and materials (as well as labor) to support its activities.

Habitat does not give away homes for free, meaning it does not offer a “hand out”. Instead, Habitat builds and sells modest homes to low-income families, thereby offering a “hand up” to home ownership. Each family is expected to partner with Habitat to qualify to purchase a Habitat home. For instance, each family is required to contribute “sweat equity” to build homes with Habitat as a condition of purchase. And while the loans offered by Habitat are at 0% interest to the homeowners, each family is required to make monthly principal payments to Habitat. These payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more homes for families in need.

Habitat for Humanity does more than just build houses:  it enriches lives and strengthens communities.

Mission and Vision

Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties is a nonprofit housing organization dedicated to providing affordable housing for working members of our community.  Habitat’s vision is the total elimination of poverty housing and homelessness within its service area and around the world.  Its principal mission is to make it possible for families in the local area to afford to live more proximately to the places where they work, play and go to school. This is a more healthy and sustainable way of living for adults and children alike, and helps to build and enrich our community.

Affordable Housing

The need for affordable housing in Habitat’s service area is acute. In 2007, the median household income in Summit County was $83,167; in Wasatch County, area median income in 2007 was $57,542. However, the median list price for a home in Summit County is close to $875,000, and in Wasatch County it is nearly $376,000.  There is a shortage of other, more permanent housing options in the area as well.  Clearly, people earning even the area median income or above will struggle to buy into the market in the local area.

Habitat provides a viable path to home ownership for those not earning the full area median income. Among the three criteria for selection by Habitat is “need”:  to evaluate need, Habitat looks for applicants earning between 30-60% of area median income. According to the most recent figures available, approximately 1,340 families in Summit County, or nearly 16% of all families in the county, have incomes in this range. In Wasatch County, approximately 1,100 families, almost 22% of all families in the county, have incomes in the target range.

The issues raised by a lack of permanent, affordable housing are well-documented. Living in temporary or rental housing correlates with poor financial outcomes. Children living in temporary or rental housing tend to have lower grades in school, and are susceptible to a wide range of negative influences and behaviors including higher rates of drug use and teen pregnancy. Workers who cannot afford to live near their place of employment often suffer long commutes, which places additional stress on them and their families. This also generates increased traffic and pollution, which diminishes the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Past Projects

Since 1995, Habitat has completed ten homes, providing shelter to 15 adults and 24 children who might not otherwise have had access to permanent, affordable housing.  Of the ten homes built by Habitat to date, five are located in Heber City, three are located in Coalville and two are located in Kamas:

• Coalville, UT Karen R.
  Completed:  November 1997
• Kamas, UT Nancy K.
  Completed:  April 2000
• Coalville, UT Troy and Terri K.
  Completed: 2000
• Coalville, UT Rogelio G. and Teresa A.
  Completed:  2000
• Heber City, UT Wendy M.
  Completed:  July 2004
• Heber City, UT Melvin and Amie S.
  Completed:  December 2005
• Heber City, UT Audrey S.
  Completed:   December 2005
• Kamas, UT Neina O.
  Completed:  December 2007
• Heber City, UT Bodey and Tammy M.
  Completed:  June 2009
• Heber City, UT Jonathan and Ruth B.
  Completed:   June 2009

To learn more about some of our families, click here.

Here’s what some of our families have to say about Habitat:

“We are so grateful to have a house of our own!  Habitat is a wonderful program, and we are truly [thankful] for people like you that make it possible.” – Ruth and Jonathan B., Heber City

“[Quote]” – Audrey S., Heber City

Board and Staff

[Board members sending bios and photos separately.]

Financial Info

To see Habitat’s most recent annual financial statements, please click here.

To see Habitat’s most recent Form 990, please click here.