Become an Advocate

A Family Advocate is assigned to every Habitat Partner Family to assist the family through the process of becoming a Habitat Homeowner.  The Advocate serves as a liaison between the Partner Family and Habitat staff to ensure that the Partner Family understands the partnership agreement.  The Advocate provides support from the time the family is accepted into the program to home ownership. 

The Family Advocate is recruited by the Family Support Committee of Habitat and becomes a member of this committee.  Each Advocate is trained and supported by the Family Support Committee.  The Family Advocate is accountable to both the Chairperson of the Family Support Committee and the Habitat office staff. 

​The type of support the Advocate provides to a Partner Family would be:

• Be present at the time the Partner Family signs the Acceptance Letter with Habitat
• Maintain regular contact with the Partner Family to communicate information to and from Habitat and to address any questions or concerns of the Partner Family
• Follow up on “sweat equity” hours to be completed by the Partner Family
• Provide translation, if needed
• Attend the home dedication ceremony
• Assist with interviews with the media
• Be able to provide information about the house plans and options, down payment requirement, mortgage information and the home buyer education course
• offer any needed support in the transfer of home ownership from Habitat to the Partner Family and be present at the real estate closing
• Provide information from Habitat regarding home ownership resources in the community that would be beneficial to the Partner Family
• Follow up on a quarterly basis with the Partner Family for one year after the real estate closing to assist with any questions or concerns that they may have

Responsibilities to Family Support Committee: 

• Attend monthly committee meetings
• Provide updates to Family Support Committee/Chairperson about family’s sweat equity, accomplishments, questions, concerns
• Attend training sessions