Houses
are not simply doled out. On the contrary, there are stipulations
that apply: Families must live legally in the United States.
They must agree to contribute a certain number of what the organization
calls “sweat equity” hours, and pay a mortgage, though at zero
percent interest.
Families
are required to attend home ownership and budget counseling,
sponsored in part by nonprofit groups in Phoenix that have partnered
with Habitat. Two‑parent families must give 400 hours
of service to the community, including working on building their
own home. Two‑hundred hours are required of single‑parent
families.
“You
don't get the hours, you don't get the house,” Gardner asserts.
As
part of the building crew for the housing, families have quite
the responsibility. Habitat builds duplexes and quadplexes.
As many of the structures are connected, Gardner says “it's
crucial because if one family does not get the hours done, no
one moves in.”
There
is no occupancy permitted until all buildings are completed.
“In some cases there's more of a
struggle to get the hours completed,” he admits. “In every case
we've made it.”
Gardner
mentioned a group of Habitat houses on Basin Road in Cave Creek.
“It did change the neighborhood–we took out trailers and built
substantial homes,” he says.
The
whole area is zoned as multi‑family, but the organization
has consistently built at a density less than what's allowed
by zoning. The group never asks for special treatment in terms
of zoning.
“We
challenge people to look at what we took out and what we put
in. We've increased the focus of value,” he says of the Basin
Road area.
A
few homesites at a time, Habitat for Humanity is trying to give
those struggling to make ends meet in the Desert Foothills a
home of their own in the place they call home.
