Community Impact

Thriving Families

Habitat homeowners are stable and their children do not change schools as frequently as do many low-income renters. This contrasts with data from the JOSANA neighborhood where 43 percent of renters rent their homes for less than 1 year. Remarkably, 71 percent of children of Habitat homeowners graduate from high school and attend an institution of higher education. Of those who do not graduate, data indicate that the drop-out rate is 46 percent lower in children of Habitat homeowners than those in similar geographies (8.3% vs. 13.5%). Of those who drop-out, Habitat children are more likely to pursue a GED than youth from non-Habitat homes.

Community Impact

Since its founding in 1984, Flower City HFH has built or rehabilitated 141 homes, most of which were built in the last ten years and all but one built in Rochester's "Crescent of Poverty." These homes have added $5.6 million to the city's tax base and during the same period over $1.2 million have been paid in property taxes. Every 11 new Habitat homes add over $500,000 to the tax base annually.

Flower City HFH has made a significant contribution to the revitalization of Rochester. Of the 701 homes built in the city between 1990 - 2000, 61 (11 percent) were Habitat homes.

Habitat homes have significantly impacted neighborhood stability and well-being. Habitat homes are assessed at more than twice the average city home on the same street ($44,161 vs. $21,547) and non-Habitat homes on a Habitat Street will be assessed at least eight percent higher than homes on the next nearest streets. Habitat families add stability to neighborhoods, with the average Habitat owner living in their home for 7.2 years as of 2005 and 97 percent still in their original Habitat home. Sixty- three percent of Habitat owners participate in some kind of neighborhood watch program.

With no quick solutions to the problem of lead paint in the aging housing stock in the city, Habitat's homeownership program has removed 344 children from lead exposure and its negative economic effects in terms of school and health costs to the community.

Invest in Success

Our building more than 150 homes has already made a difference, but we could do so much more with additional resources. A gift to Flower City Habitat for Humanity is an investment in the health and well-being of a family, a neighborhood and our community.

The single greatest barrier to completing more homes each year is lack of funding:

• We have city land in abundance
• We have volunteers eager to help build
• We have qualified working families waiting for a home
• We have the capacity to grow from building nine houses a year to 15 houses a year

How can you help?

Businesses and Organizations:

• Become a Habitat corporate member or sponsor a house, in full or in part.

Individuals:

• Support/increase your support. Make monthly contributions to Habitat through our "Carpenters' Club."
• Join our American Dream Society with an annual contribution of $1,000 or more.
• Join our Legacy Society by naming Habitat in your will.

Congregations:

• Join other congregations to sponsor a house.
• Include Habitat in your outreach budget.