The winds are howling as the temperatures plunge below
freezing. An arctic blast grips much of
the nation in its icy clutches. In this
kind of weather, frostbite attacks unprotected skin in just a matter of minutes
prompting a litany of school closings to scroll across the screen during the
evening newscast. Winter has arrived,
and arrived with a vengeance.
We are a week removed from the start of the new year, a time
when we reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future. Perhaps there is no better time to focus instead
on this very moment.
With bitter cold winds howling outside, how thankful are we
for the walls and roof that protect us?
How easy is it to take for granted the whirring of the furnace motor as
heat gently cascades from the registers?
A home is a warm, safe refuge
from the elements… at least for those who have one.
What does home ownership mean to you? Just think about when you closed the deal
and signed the mortgage paperwork.
What a feeling of success and accomplishment? What a rush of excitement as you opened the
door to your new home and your new life?
What a feeling of pride as you decorated it and made it your own? What an
opportunity to set the foundation for a sound financial future as equity builds
with each payment made?
A home means so much.
It is a source of pride, a measure of success, a means of building
wealth, and source of protection for everything we own and those we love. Home ownership means so much to individuals
and families. It also has huge societal
benefits as well including better parental engagement, improved educational
outcomes, neighborhood and property value stability, and reduced crime. The National Association of Realtors
detailed these societal effects in their report published at http://www.realtor.org/reports/social-benefits-of-homeownership-and-stable-housing
So while we are in the mode of thinking about our
resolutions, why not resolve to do our part to help increase access to
affordable housing? You may ask: “Well
what can I do?” The answer is
simple. Support an organization whose
mission is to increase access to affordable housing: Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity is a global Christian non-profit organization
comprised of over 1400 affiliates in the United States and over 70 national
organizations around the world that have helped build or repair over 800,000
homes for low income or disabled individuals and families, veterans, and those
left homeless from natural disaster.
Habitat does not provide a handout. They provide a hand up. Families selected for Habitat homes must meet
income eligibility guidelines dependent on family size and other criteria. Energy efficient and modest size homes are
built and then sold to the family through affordable financing programs. To be selected, they must be willing to
become partners in the program, donating hundreds of hours of labor to their
own home build and that of others.
So how can you help?
1)
Donate good used furniture, appliances, tools,
home decor and other salable items to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Donations are tax-deductable and proceeds
from the sale of these items are used to fund local building projects in the
community.
2)
When you are remodeling your own home, take a
little extra time and care in the removal of old lighting and bath fixtures,
cabinets, doors, windows, etc. Rather
than taking up space in the landfill, these items can be donated to the
ReStores to be resold along with left over trim, flooring, paints & stains
and roofing materials.
3)
Shop at the ReStores. The selection is always changing and you can
often find just what you need for your own project and typically at much lower
prices than at lumber or hardware stores or building centers.
4)
Participate in a Habitat fundraising event. Local affiliates plan a variety of events throughout
the year including run/walks, golf outings, haunted houses, and many
others. These are fun, family friendly
activities that provide resources necessary for Habitat to help other families
5)
Participate in a build (construction of a
Habitat Home).
6)
Become a corporate sponsor for a Habitat
fundraiser such as the “Women’s Build” or the “Veteran’s Build”. Donations are tax deductible and a great way
to support your local community.
7)
Sponsor a work group to participate in a home
build. This is a great team building
exercise for your employees.
8)
Volunteer some time. Habitat relies on volunteers to be the
backbone of their many programs, projects, Restores and fundraising
events.
9)
Become an advocate for affordable housing by spreading
the word about Habitat’s programs and services.
10)
Get out your checkbook and make a donation.
There is an old saying that charity begins at home. It is
something to consider when you are sitting comfortably in yours, listening to
those howling winds.
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