Celebrating National Homeownership Month in Brown County

For individuals and families across Greater Green Bay, homeownership through Habitat for Humanity is often the first real chance to build something lasting.

​All too often, families face barriers like limited access to fair or affordable lending, rising housing costs, and credit systems that work against lower‑ and even moderate-income households.

​That’s why the work we do at Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity goes beyond just handing over a set of keys. We partner with families every step of the way to ensure they experience long‑term success. 

This month is National Homeownership Month, and we wanted to honor the individuals and families who have partnered with us, the volunteers who build alongside them, and the donors who make affordable homeownership in Brown County possible. Together, we’re strengthening neighborhoods, building financial resilience, and creating a more equitable future for our community. ​

How Habitat Homeownership Builds Stability and Wealth 

A recent national mixed‑methods study conducted with Washington University in St. Louis shows just how transformative Habitat’s affordable homeownership model is. The findings reflect what we see every day in Brown County: when families have a stable, affordable home (and feel empowered with the skills to support and maintain it), they thrive. 
​

• Lower foreclosure risk - Even when challenges arise, Habitat homeowners are 56% less likely to lose their homes to foreclosure than comparable homeowners. Supportive mortgage servicing and in-house lending make a measurable difference. ​
• Improved credit health - On average, Habitat homeowners see their credit scores rise by 22 points, with gains beginning even before purchasing thanks to financial education and counseling. By year eight, average increases reach 43 points.  
• Growing savings and financial resilience - Habitat homeowners accumulate more liquid assets over time, equating to approximately $1,800 more than similar neighbors, growing to $4,400 by year six. These gains are especially strong for Black homeowners.  
• Rapid equity growth - Zero‑ and low‑interest mortgages allow families to build equity from day one, often reaching 2.6× the home’s purchase value over 30 years.  
• Higher satisfaction and optimism - Homeowners report greater life satisfaction, a stronger sense of pride in their home, and increased optimism about the future compared to non‑Habitat households.  
• Intergenerational impact - Families describe homeownership as the first step toward breaking cycles of instability and building generational wealth that they can pass on to their children.  

Statistics from https://www.habitat.org/our-work/paths-to-stability-and-wealth  

At Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, these national findings mirror the stories we hear from our homeowners every day. Stability brings confidence, and that confidence opens doors to even more opportunity. 

If you’d like to explore how Habitat homeownership works, you can dive deeper into: 

• Our homeownership program 

• Volunteer opportunities in Green Bay 

• Ways to support local families