Habitat for Humanity Sarasota & ReStores

Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Inc. is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year.

Habitat Sarasota provides safe, affordable homes to low-income working families. A dedicated, volunteer workforce provides on average 4,000 labor-hours per home, resulting in a 25%-30% reduction in construction cost. The organization builds new homes (and renovates purchased properties) with an emphasis on energy efficient features using building materials and techniques for sustainability, culminating in lower monthly expenses for homeowners.

The agency incorporates the following principles to ensure successful homeownership: a) families whose income measures 30%-70% of the average median income may qualify for our homeownership program; b) demonstrate the need for improved and affordable housing; c) be willing to partner with Habitat for a minimum of 300 sweat equity hours; and d) be able to pay a 30-year, interest-free mortgage. Qualified applicants are also required to participate in a series of homebuyer classes and provide a down payment of $1,650 prior to closing on their home. A typical Habitat partner family completes this process within one year.

As a result of our Affordable Homebuyer Program, this affiliate services more than 165 mortgages for partner families, and regularly provides counseling to ensure homeowners are successful in staying current on their mortgage payments.

Our affiliate operates two successful ReStore locations (named top-10 in the nation) which sells donated furniture and home improvement materials to support our mission. Both ReStores produce enough revenue to cover all the agency’s G&A. Therefore, approximately two years ago, our board of directors incorporated a policy to restrict 100% of all monetary gifts from donors to be allocated to our building fund, unless specified by the donor.