Homeownership

Habitat Kent partners with people who are in need of safe, stable, and affordable housing. At Habitat Kent we view “affordable housing” as those who earn less than 80% of the area median income for Kent County (maximum approximately $53,000 per year gross household income for a family of four). But income isn’t the only requirement to partner with Habitat Kent, all future homeowners must have a need for housing (physical conditions, space, safety) and be willing to partner with us by purchasing the home and earning sweat equity hours.

Since July 6, 1983, we have helped over 500 families turn their dreams of homeownership into reality and have lifted over 1,500 children out of substandard housing.

Yes, we are committed to the long-term sustainability of Habitat homeowners, their economic success and the neighborhoods where they live. We do not walk away when a family moves into their Habitat home – we walk alongside them all the way through their final mortgage payment. Because of this partnership, Habitat Kent homeowners have a 94% success rate in maintaining homeownership long-term.

On average we have 5,000 people volunteer with Habitat Kent every year.

Yes. All new Habitat Kent homes are Energy Star certified and all electric, which saves homeowners hundreds of dollars every year on energy bills.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the estimated one-year economic impact of building 30 Habitat homes includes:

• $2.6 million in local income
• $250,000 in taxes and other revenue for local governments
• 44 local jobs

Habitat Kent is Michigan’s top producing Habitat affiliate.

-Since 2007, every new home built by Habitat Kent has been LEED certified

-U.S. Green Building Council member since 2008

-2011 LEED for Homes Outstanding Program Commitment

-Built first LEED Gold Version 4 standards from the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC in Michigan and Midwest (2016)

-2015 Nomination for West Michigan Business Forum Sustainable Business of the Year Award

-2015 Better Business Bureau Torch Award Finalist

-Selected affiliate to take part of the Habitat International neighborhood revitalization initiative

-Michigan Affiliate of the Year (2007, 2014)

-Habitat for Humanity International 2013 Affiliates of Distinction Honorable Mention

-2013 EPIC Non-profit of the Year

-Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center 2013 Work Based Learning Center Site of the Year

-Campus Compact award for partnership with Grand Rapids Community College

-Finalist for the Good Neighbor Award through the Neighborhood

-The State of Michigan Disability Council awarded Habitat Kent the “Corrie Bair Inclusive Communities Award for Housing” for building homes with “ZeroStep” entry

-“Approved Environmental Group” by 1% for the Planet

-Habitat Kent received the award of “Deal of the Year” by Grand Rapids Business Journal

-Sam Mompongo Award of $1 million in tithe contributions

-Completed neighborhood revitalization Building Blocks Campaign of $5 million that served 200 families in two years.

-Served more than 600 families in Kent County

– Veteran Non-Profit of the Year and Non-Profit of the Yearaward from the “2015 WGVU I Have Made a Difference Awards”

-2016 Governor’s Energy Excellence Award for best communication and education program.

-Neighborhood Business Awards 2015 Best District Promotion (Granville Avenue Neighborhood promotion funded and support by Habitat Kent neighborhood revitalization)

-Gerald R. Ford Job Corps “2016 Community Partner of the Year”

-2016 Habitat Kent became an official LEED Power Builder

-2017 MiBiz Best Managed Nonprofit

-2016 Outstanding Affordable Developer/ Builder of the Year (USGBC)

-Kent County Land Bank Authority Affordable Housing Achievement Award (February 23^rd, 2017)

-2017 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award (Affordable Builder Category)

-2017 Create Great Collaboration Award (Center for Community Leadership)

-2017-2017 HWMUW Grant Recipient

Habitat Kent partners with Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy for Design & Construction and Grand Rapids Community College M-TEC and others. These students learned cutting-edge building skills firsthand while giving back to their community and working alongside a Habitat partner family.