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(A Statewide Support Organization) CASE STATEMENTClick on the index below to go to those areas of this page. III. Our Niche How We Do It Differently V. Goals What We Are Going To Do VI. Implementation How We Are Going To Do It VII. Governance Who Is In Charge? IX. Evaluation How We Measure Success I. Vision - What We Want To DoHabitat for Humanity of Idaho works with affiliates to create decent, affordable housing for those in need, and to put shelter on the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
II. Need - Why We Want To Do ItThe Building of Homes has Changed The Way It Used To Be Building a house in the late 30s – early 40s was done by cutting down trees and using their stumps for a foundation. Tarpaper was used to keep out the wind and the rain and was replaced as needed until one could afford a more permanent roof. People continued to start out with something simple and cheap and improved their homes as their money and spare time permitted. As time went on, many of these buildings grew into the comfortable homes many of us now live in. The Way It Is Now Now we have building codes so a house will not blow over in a hurricane, will not collapse in an earthquake, will not be built below the high water mark in a flood plain and will not slide down the hill in a heavy rain. Ceiling heights, window sizes, and minimum room sizes were placed in codes because of the poor living conditions in tenement housing. Codes and regulations are a response to cities burning (Chicago and San Francisco), raw sewage causing tens of thousands of deaths and buildings collapsing. We have decided that people must build it right the first time. However, to build it right you must be able to afford it. Idaho’s Economy has ChangedHistorically, Idaho has been supported by its agriculture and natural resources industries. These industries have seen declines in employment. Retail trades, service industries and tourism are now absorbing workers. Many newly created jobs pay excellent wages and have excellent benefits. Other jobs pay minimum wages and have few {or no} benefits. Some high-income families are living in modern day mansions, while low-income families have trouble paying rent. In recent times in Idaho, a minimum wage earner has had to work about 76 hours per month to rent a 2-bedroom unit! Demographic ChangesDemand Factors: Idaho’s population has grown dramatically. In some years Idaho has had the third highest population growth in the nation. This means that there is a need to build around 775 housing units per year to provide housing for those earning 30-50% of the median income. For some in this group, home ownership is a better investment of public resources than rental assistance.. Those making less than 30% of the median income (some estimate this to be 10% of the population) are either are at risk of becoming homeless or are homeless. About sixty-eight percent (68%) of the homeless include families with children—up 28% since 1997. Supply Factors: For many Idahoans needing housing, incomes have increased. These conditions have promoted an increase in the supply of housing units that has about matched the increase in population. However, for those earning less than 50% of the median income, the supply of housing has become tighter and tighter forcing rents and sale prices of homes to skyrocket. {For a detailed look at Idaho’s housing needs see the Idaho Housing and Finance Association web page on Plans and Reports--among which is their 5 year strategic plan http://www.ihfa.org/grants_actionpartplans.asp)
The Future State of Idaho’s HousingThe future of affordable housing for low income and very low income families depends on, not only the demographic and income trends, but also on the willingness of the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private and public sector, to address the problem. One non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity, makes it, once again, possible for very low-income families to afford and build their own homes. And we’ve decided to build it right the first time!
III. Our Niche - How We Do It DifferentlyHabitat for Humanity’s affiliates are Christian based organizations that primarily use volunteer labor to help people in need build simple, decent and affordable homes for themselves. Prospective homeowners are selected only on the basis of need, ability to repay a non-interest loan for the cost of building their homes, and their willingness to partner (work with) Habitat for Humanity. A prospective homeowner must invest usually 500 hours of work, "sweat equity" (rather than a monetary down payment), and attend workshops vital to home ownership and maintenance. Before and during the home building process the family is assigned a sponsor who helps them throughout the whole process. When the building of the home is completed Habitat sells the home to the homeowner at no profit and with a no interest mortgage. This approach is unique. It is time consuming, but the selection process, "sweat equity" requirement, the workshops, the sponsors, and the Christian love shown by faith in action throughout the entire process results in a smaller percentage of homeowners giving up their homes than by any other home builders’ process. These homeowners are bonded to their homes. They are stakeholders in the American dream. Adequate shelter provides a security in their lives they have never known before. People who could not afford a commercially built home with the interest-bearing loan now are paying less than 30% of their income on housing. They are a stable, tax paying part of a community that has helped them become so. We not only build homes—we build communities with love.
IV. History - What We Have DonePam Peterson from the Palouse area and Verne Blalack from Silver Valley attended an Habitat for Humanity International conference and training session in 1995. There they became aware of the possible programs, resources and other benefits a Habitat for Humanity State support organization could provide for the Idaho affiliates. With a great deal of enthusiasm they then led the way in starting Idaho’s State Support Organization (SSO) and in going through the process of becoming affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI). The Board of Directors of this SSO is composed of a representative from each of the affiliates and a few members at large. Our Idaho SSO has received a small number of grants for statewide purposes and distributed the moneys to our affiliates. It also was instrumental in obtaining and distributing tens of thousands of dollars worth of Habitat for Humanity International’s gifts-in-kind to Idaho affiliates. It has promoted and conducted, some in conjunction with HfHI, training events for volunteers and staff from the affiliates. It also established a pattern of having semi-annual meetings of the Board during which experiences; information and best practices were shared in addition to conducting business. Training sessions for the Board members and other volunteers from the affiliates often were conducted congruent with the Board meetings.
V. Goals - What We Are Going To Do1.Utilize Modern Communications Modern communications will allow information and "best practices" to be shared by: A. Our Idaho SSO’s directors and committee members B. Our Idaho affiliates C. Habitat for Humanity International personnel D. Other State Support Organizations (SSOs) E. Donors and volunteers interested in supporting Habitat for Humanity F. Anyone else interested in partnering with Habitat for Humanity 2.
Improve the Awareness of the Need for Shelter to Make Adequate Housing a
Matter of 3. Partner With Interested Groups 4. Supply Resources Needed for Shelter to Idaho’s Affiliates
VI. Implementation - How We Are Going To Do It1. Modern Communications Email communications have cut our communications and time costs. These savings allowed us time to develop our own website, which saves office time as many routine questions can be answered on our website. Our semi-annual Board meetings also have been positive in this regard. These usually are accompanied with training for affiliate volunteers. 2. Partnering Efforts with Other Organizations A. Church Groups Habitat for Humanity has always been a Christian based organization that shows its love by helping provide homes for God’s people in need. It’s "Theology of the Hammer" non-denominational status allows it to work with all religious and non-religious organizations. Habitat for Humanity of Idaho will seek out regional and/or statewide church support. B. Idaho Housing Agency One of the strongest financial supporters of State Support Organizations has always been the state housing organizations. These are quasi-government organizations that handle state housing programs frequently with federal housing funds passed to them by the state government. We will work with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association and other agencies in this regard. C. Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle Federal Home Loan Banks are banks created by regional banks. Among other things, they fulfill the regional banks’ obligations to make low income financing available to areas where the local banks exist. This entity has long been very supportive of Habitat State Organizations in helping to make affordable housing available to more people. We intend to work with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle to solicit and enhance funding for our affiliates in order that they may build more modest and affordable homes in Idaho. D. Other Organizations There are numerous other organizations deeply involved in solving Idaho’s housing needs. We will acquaint ourselves with many of these players in hopes that successful partnering will pay dividends to Idaho’s residents. 3. Increasing Awareness We will increase our focus on the need for a greater awareness by the public of Habitat’s mission. Special attention will be given to promoting special events (e.g., "First Ladies Build" -- Governor’s wives and former "First Ladies." As our home production continues to accelerate, these builds will help keep the awareness of the need for shelter before the public. 4. Supply Resources to Affiliates We will enhance our efforts of obtaining funding reflecting regional and statewide interests and following with distributions to our affiliates. The identification and solicitation of in-kind donation resources for multiple affiliates also will receive increased attention.
VII. Governance - Who Is In Charge?Our SSO’s Board of Directors is composed primarily of a representative of each member affiliate elected by the Board of the affiliate to that position. Directors may be elected at-large by the SSO Board. All corporate powers are vested in the Board of Directors.
VIII. Staffing - Who is Paid?Presently all directors are volunteers and serve at their own expense unless the representatives are reimbursed by their affiliates. Thus far, all Habitat for Humanity of Idaho expenses have been paid by donations from individuals and affiliates. Our survey of SSOs in other states reveals very clearly that having an Executive Director is essential to having a truly successful SSO and results in increased house production. Because of our SSO Board’s desire to help increase the building capacity of our Idaho affiliates, the Board intends to establish as soon as possible the position of E.D. and to obtain the funding needed to carry out the start-up stages of this effort.
IX. Evaluation - How We Measure SuccessOur mission is to work with affiliates to enhance the capacity to build and provide modest, decent and affordable housing for those in need, and to put shelter on the hearts and minds of people everywhere. When it is evident that our SSO efforts are helping our affiliates increase their home building capacity, then we will know we are being successful. Return to top of page or to Main Menu |
