Background: The Habitat Model
Mission and Homeownership Process
The mission of Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity is to help low-income families have upward mobility in housing. They accomplish this by building partnerships and leveraging community assets for positive impact on the lives of low-income individuals and families seeking to transition to homeownership. In doing so, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities through no-interest loans to those families who are unable to obtain conventional home financing. To accomplish this, the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity model provides a venue for individuals and groups to volunteer their time and talents as well as donate resources and materials to help transition Habitat’s homeowners to affordable homeownership. Using donations of in the form of volunteers, land, material, and resources, the cost of building the home is kept low with average monthly mortgage payments between $ 350 and $450. The Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity Model occurs in eight stages. Figure 1 below outlines each stage.
FIGURE 1. Illustrative Model of the Habitat Process.
Source: Illustration based on data provided from the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity (2017).
Since its founding in 1987, the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has provided homeownership to more than 525 families (Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, 2017). In doing so, over the past three decades, the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity built 489 homes and recycled and/or rehabbed 91 homes (for a total of 580 homes). As Figure 2 indicates, the volume of construction activity has been trending upward since 1993. This trajectory is projected to continue upward.
FIGURE 2. Number of Homes Constructed/Rehabbed 1993 to Q1 2017.
Source: Sagamore Institute. Chart adapted based on data provided by the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity Habitat Homeowner Locations (September 2017).
Previous Impact Studies
In 2012, the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI) utilized primary data as well as national academic and practitioner research to examine the social value created by Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity program-related investments and to estimate the monetary value of the organization’s impact. PPI found the following:
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This research study builds upon the efforts of PPI. The remaining contents of this report are divided into six sections based on study key findings and outcomes: