June 2024 Newsletter

Homeownership Month;

A Time to Partner for Affordable Housing

National Homeownership Month began on June 1 and shines a spotlight on the American Dream of owning a home. Affordable homeownership gives families a sense of pride, a connection to their community, stability, and the ability to build equity and generational wealth. Despite such benefits, recent events may slow the progress of additional affordable homeownership options. Sadly, recent events may slow the progress of additional affordable homeownership options here in Hanover and King William.

To help maintain affordable mortgages for approved families, we have been utilizing the USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan Program. However, USDA has recently announced that the FY24 Consolidated Appropriations Act has greatly reduced funding for its single-family housing programs. With significant cuts in their budget, all of their funding has already been spent for the fiscal year, halting many affordable mortgages nationwide.

Our STAR development has three homes yet to be fully funded. Habitat initially planned on $540,000 in mortgage funding from USDA that is no longer available.

To continue construction and lessen the long-term effects of such a large financial shortage, we seek financial support from the community.

A one-time or monthly recurring gift can be made online via credit card or ACH transfer through our secure website. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 2604, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. NAP tax credits are also available. Those interested can contact Michele McCabe at 804-569-6108 x103 for more information.

Please partner with us through a financial donation to celebrate Homeownership Month, to support affordable housing options, and to continue building bright futures for local families for years to come.

See our complete press release here.

DONATE NOW

Please consider advocating for affordable housing and the funding of USDA’s 502 program by contacting US Senators Warner and Kaine and House of Representatives members Wittman or Good, depending on where you live. Contact your representatives via phone call, an in-person visit, mail, or email to ask for additional funding for this program.

You can visit our website for more information and examples of letters you can use to help advocate for affordable housing and USDA 502 Loans.

Congratulations, Chris

Yesterday, we celebrated with Christopher Jackson and his son at the dedication of their new home. Our first lot in the STAR development in Ashland is complete and Chris will be moving in shortly. Check out a few pictures from the event on our website. We are very excited for this family's next chapter!

Thank you, Sign Gypsies for the welcome response as everyone gathered at the home during the celebration. A big shout out to Wegmans who filled Chris’ pantry and fridge with all the groceries he will need for the next couple of weeks (or even months). Thank you, Hamilton Beach, for the generous donation of several small appliances. Thank you to the community members who created specialized quilts, kitchen towels, housewarming gift baskets, and more!

We are grateful for the support towards the STAR development from these community partners:

Department of Housing and Community Development’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing program
PDC Housing Program through Virginia Housing, PlanRVA, and Partnership for Housing Affordability
BHE GT&S, a Berkshire Hathaway Company
Capital One
First Citizens Bank
Publix Super Markets Charities
Town of Ashland
Wells Fargo
Individual donors who generously support our mission

This project was supported, in whole or in part, by federal award Number VA NEU 0008 awarded to the Town of Ashland, by the U.S Department of the Treasury.

Ways to Support Habitat

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual golf tournament in May. Wonderful sponsors, players, and volunteers truly blessed Habitat during this event. We netted over $40,000 that will be used to build affordable homes and make critical repairs in Hanover and King William Counties. Habitat is looking into May 2025 to hold another golf tournament.

Platinum Sponsor:

Estes

Gold Sponsors:

BG Products

Silver Sponsors:

Blazer Heating, Air & Plumbing

Bob & Betty Lou Yevich

Donegal Insurance Group

Equity Concepts

HKS, Inc

J.M. Pollard & Sons

JR Walker

Marsh & McLennan Agency

McGriff Insurance

Wawa

Wegmans

Bronze Sponsors:

(putting green, driving range, & beverage cart)

Ace Hardware

Bagby Electric

Curtis Drilling

Delta Dental of Virginia

F. Richard Wilton Construction

Ferber's Automotive & Body

Howell's Heating & Air

J.S. Archer

McKinney & Co

Parker, Pollard, Wilton & Peaden, P.C.

RichPro Pest Management

Susan Morrison

Save Friday, September 13 for our annual Harvest of Hope dinner. We are currently looking for event sponsors. If you are interested in learning more, please email Michele McCabe or call 804-569-6108 x103.

ReStore

Shopping at the ReStore supports the community since proceeds from the store help fund our work on repairs and affordable homeownership in Hanover and King William counties. Last month we hit a BIG milestone as the store surpassed $3 million in contributions to the mission of Habitat since opening in 2005! Thank you to all of our ReStore donors and shoppers who help make our ReStore so successful – we hope to continue to see it grow!

We are excited to welcome our new ReStore Manager, Cara Saravia! Cara joined us at the start of May and has been working with Rick to get up to speed before he retires at the beginning of August. Cara has been a regular volunteer in the store for quite some time and is excited to lead the ReStore in her new role! She joins us from Home Depot and before that spent many years helping lead the Hanover Humane Society. Cara lives in Ashland with her husband and can be found hiking locally with her dog most weekends.

Habitat Homeownership

Habitat requires their homeowners to complete sweat equity. A portion of those hours are education classes leading to a greater home investment.

One of the classes is about home maintenance. In the summer, we suggest homeowners:

Change the air filter in your HVAC system
Check caulk around tubs and showers (Repair as needed to prevent leaks)
Assess whether your grout needs to be resealed
Check traps and drains under sinks
Check the water heater for leaks

Other homeowners may also want a reminder to do these things!

It can be difficult to establish a direct link between housing and its influence on children's education. However, research has shown a connection between having a decent, affordable, and secure home and achieving positive educational results.

The stability provided by Habitat Homes allows homeowners to minimize disruptions to their children’s education.

Improving air quality can help control children’s symptoms and flare-ups from chronic respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, allowing them to miss fewer instructional days. Affordable housing reduces a family's housing cost burdens and frees up financial resources to invest in their financial stability, health, and education.

Read the Research series: How does housing affect children’s education? to learn more.

Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity | www.hkwhabitat.org | 804.569.6108