Habitat Homeowners' Thoughts related to Family Wellness and Achievement
Habitat study participants believe being a part of this process has helped them achieve their personal, educational, and career plans; and identified that becoming Habitat Homeowners was the first step toward self-sufficiency.
Habitat study participants identified the Habitat process as a catalyst for pursuing their educational and career aspirations. Seventy-one percent (71.4%) of Habitat Homeowners noted they had started and/or completed or plan to begin higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- 53.2% of Habitat Homeowners stated they HAD STARTED or COMPLETED higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- 18.2% of Habitat Homeowners stated they PLAN TO START or COMPLETE higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- In comparison, 26.0% of Habitat Homeowners indicated they DO NOT PLAN TO START and/or COMPLETE higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
FIGURE 6. Q. Have you personally or any of your family members (other than yourself) started and/or completed higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners?
Source: Sagamore Institute. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Survey Data Analysis SPSS Report (28 July 2017).
For me, being a homeowner, I now kind of strive to want to be better, because now this is my home I do have to keep it up and all that. I’m considering moving up in my career and personally my kids feel more stable; they have a home that is going to be there hopefully till they’re old and have kids and everything.”
That was the first step in becoming self-sufficient. I’ve not only earned my Associates, I’ve earned my Bachelor's, I’ve earned my Master’s, and my family just continues to be blessed all around. It all started with me being in the Habitat program."
Seventy-one percent (71.5%) of respondents noted family members had started and/or completed or plan to begin higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- 37.7% of respondents stated family members HAD STARTED or COMPLETED higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- 33.8% of respondents stated family members PLAN TO START or COMPLETE higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
- In comparison, 27.3% of respondents indicated family members DO NOT PLAN TO START and/or COMPLETE higher education or training programs since becoming Habitat Homeowners.
Of those who completed or who are in the process of completing a higher education or certification program, certifications and degrees include:
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Habitat study participants indicated that since becoming a homeowner, they have been able to spend more time with their family and improve the family bond.
Habitat Homeowners noted a deduction in chronic mobility for their family, especially their children --thereby maintaining a feeling of stability.
…I’m able to spend more time with the family or able to do more…Educational wise, we don’t have to stress. My kids can enjoy going to one school and not moving around. We found a school in the area that is K-12, and I personally like the school, and their grades are fine! They keep the same friends, they stay in the same area. We haven’t been constantly switching schools.”
I would say Habitat has definitely helped me have a stronger bond with my family because I get to spend time with them in the home. I have gone on to get an exceptional job at a great company in Downtown Indianapolis.”
Habitat Homeowners expressed that the process improved their family’s housing constancy and financial stability.
For instance, participants like knowing they have a stable home to call their own and somewhere for their children to grow. The low mortgage payments have allowed Habitat Homeowners to save money. Habitat Homeowners' hope their children are able to inherit their home in the future.
Well I like that we have a life-long home and when I’m gone it will be passed down to everybody else.”
It’s about stability. I have three children who are all different ages. Because my mortgage is such a decent bill every month, it just works. Stability is the good word for me right now.”
Since homeownership, Habitat Homeowners identified several improvements to their family’s overall well-being.
For instance, Habitat Homeowners provided the following related to their perspectives on family life and achievements Post-Habitat:
- Increased church attendance.
- Improved study habits of children and increased academic achievements.
- Improvements in social life for children.
- Advances in accomplishments at work.
- Enhanced quality time with family.
- Improvements in children’s school attendance.
- Progresses in financial security.
FIGURE 7. Q. Perceptions of Family Life and Achievements Pre- and Post-Habitat Participation.
Source: Sagamore Institute. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Survey Data Analysis SPSS Report (28 July 2017).
Habitat Homeowners noted that their family health and personal well-being improved since homeownership.
For instance, Habitat Homeowners provided the following related to their health and personal well-being Post-Habitat:
- Decline in feelings of lack control of their lives/influence over life circumstances.
- Decrease in lack of decision-making capabilities.
- Reduction in amount of emotional stress.
- Waning of chronic housing-related illnesses/doctor’s visits.
- Increase in feelings of happiness, enhanced quality of life, and feelings of a positive state of mind.
FIGURE 8. Q. Perceptions of Health and Personal Well-Being Pre- and Post-Habitat Participation.
Source: Sagamore Institute. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Survey Data Analysis SPSS Report (28 July 2017).
Being a Habitat Homeowner left a positive impact on the lives of the participants.
Habitat Homeowners like having the feeling of stability and safety. In addition, Habitat Homeowners agree their families are much happier in the homes than before, and feel the experience has brought their families closer. Moreover, this experience has helped alleviate a lot of the financial stress that Habitat Homeowners felt in the past. Now their goals seem much more attainable, and families have a better sense of community.
We are just a happier family I can definitely say. When the stress comes of the money, you know having people in and out, you know traffic of an apartment and things like that. It’s just the overall happiness of my family has been a definite shift; it has definitely trickled down to my family.”