Dear neighbor, advocate of affordable homeownership, and friend of Habitat for Humanity,
Homeownership, beyond being a dream for many, provides strength, stability, and self-reliance. In Brown County, where we have witnessed people and families flourish, and communities thrive, your donations have been the cornerstone upon which these success stories are built. But one in every eight households in the great state of Wisconsin is paying greater than 50% of their income towards housing costs - making homeownership unattainable when faced with financial insecurities and forcing tradeoffs to be able to afford rent or mortgage. As a result, insecurities cause inequities in the housing market, forcing people and families to make difficult decisions about housing without being able to break the cycle.
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As a result, insecurities cause inequities in the housing market, forcing people and families to make difficult decisions about housing without being able to break the cycle.
The task of breaking down the cost of building a brand new home in Greater Green Bay is daunting. The average simple, decent home now costs over $200,000, a figure that often feels insurmountable for people and families working tirelessly to secure a better future for themselves or their loved ones. |
It is in the face of this challenge that your contributions shine the brightest. Your dollars not only fund the foundation to the roof but also the dreams and aspirations of Habitat homebuyers and the generations of families that follow.
how your donation can make a difference with Habitat for Humanity
When you invest in affordable housing, you invest in the strength of our community. Individuals and families find the stability they need to plan for the future. Children grow up in safe environments where they can thrive academically and socially. Homeowners and parents gain the self-reliance to pursue better opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the community. Your support fosters a cycle of positive change that extends far beyond the physical walls of a house.
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turning insecurities into strength, stability, and self-relianceAffordable homeownership helps create the conditions that free individuals and families from stress and fear, helping build stability and confidence. Studies show that strong and stable households are foundational to child development and growth. When a home fosters — instead of hinders — health and safety, people and families can flourish.
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transforming lives with a hand-up
Every dollar you donate to our cause has a transformative impact. It empowers us to purchase building materials, deploy an army of volunteers, employ skilled labor, and provide essential training for families to maintain their new homes successfully. Your generosity lays the foundation for a brighter tomorrow, one where everyone has a decent place to call home.
strength, stability, and self-reliance
When we put God’s love into action, we bring people together - people like you - to build homes, communities, and hope. Your tax-deductible contribution will directly contribute to building homes, fostering stability, and creating self-reliance. We welcome any amount you can give, as every dollar counts in this benevolent endeavor.
Your donation this year will help Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity maintain the up-front finances of building materials and construction costs. At the completion of construction, the Habitat house is sold with an affordable, 0% interest mortgage, allowing the homeowner to gain strength, stability, and self-reliance. |
I consider myself hard-working, responsible, and a fighter. My three children are smart and very kind. Together, we create our dreams. As a homeowner, I hope to have peace of mind knowing that my children will have a stable roof and will have more freedom to play however they want. I also want to have a positive environment where my kids can have anything." |
You too can empower the people in our community when you help Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity build homes in Brown County. A Habitat home is not a handout, and it is not given away for free. Each Habitat home is built with the love and labor from volunteers and Habitat homebuyers who are working on their sweat equity. Once completed, Habitat homes are sold to the individuals and families in the Homeownership Program with an affordable 0% interest mortgage.
When families take that first step into their new home, all the stress and suffering they felt in their previous living situation melts away. Kids get a stable, secure place to play and study. Parents do not stay up at night worrying about how they can afford a decent place to live. Home takes on a whole new meaning for these families.
When families take that first step into their new home, all the stress and suffering they felt in their previous living situation melts away. Kids get a stable, secure place to play and study. Parents do not stay up at night worrying about how they can afford a decent place to live. Home takes on a whole new meaning for these families.
home during the holidays
cost-burdened energy households
Midwest homeowners experience a fluctuation of energy consumption throughout the seasons and approaching winter can have a tremendous impact for all households. For many of our Habitat homeowners, simply moving into a new Habitat home has instant benefits related to energy consumption and lowering energy costs.
According to the Habitat for Humanity research series: How does housing affect energy efficiency, Households with low incomes tend to reside in housing that is less energy efficient, which drives their energy burden. Building age and intensity of energy use are highly correlated. Newer homes tend to use less energy per square foot than older homes, partly because building codes have become more stringent. Households with low incomes are more likely to live in lower-quality and older housing and to have energy-intensive heating systems and appliances, which escalate their energy costs. Offering energy-efficient homes to these households can reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the homes’ energy costs and resulting energy burden.
food and health care cost burdenFor households spending more than half of their income on housing, they are forced to decide on tradeoffs - whether to spend income on nutritious food and health care or being able to afford monthly rent.
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how your donation makes an impact
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity is able to utilize funds to support the up-front cost of building new construction homes in Brown County - supporting materials like doors, windows, lighting, appliances, all of which have an impact on energy consumption. Our organization is able to:
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Once purchased, a Habitat home releases financial resources for the homeowner(s) allowing them to build not only generational wealth, but begin to utilize income that was otherwise dedicated to unaffordable house toward healthier food options, health care, education, and more.
- No longer cost-burdened, Habitat homeowners can utilize their financial resources on healthier food options, and go to the doctor - impacting overall health.
Make it a "Home" for the Holidays
Habitat homeownership provides households with a simple, safe, and affordable home. A Habitat home helps limit overcrowding, and in turn, allows people and families to minimize the spread of respiratory infectious diseases. A healthy household gives families the opportunity to foster new traditions and memories in a place they can call home, especially during the holidays.
The Gift of Time & Talent
In addition to the financial contributions to the mission of Greater Green Bay habitat for Humanity, lending time and talent is additionally essential to the progress of our community addressing affordable homeownership. Skilled volunteers are invited to participate in the home building process as well as our ReStore. And, our volunteers are not alone; every future Habitat homebuyer builds alongside of our volunteers under the guidance of the construction staff. Volunteers of all skill level are welcome and individuals of a construction or engineering-related industry are encouraged to contribute the gift of their time whether it's one day a year or more.