About Us

Our Mission

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, a Christian-based organization, builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with families in need.

History

Serving Central Arizona since 1985, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (HFHCAZ), an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is an independent, locally run, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. Habitat helps families of low and moderate incomes become homeowners by building and partnering in the creation of affordable housing. HFHCAZ also builds community partnerships that promote spiritual values and individual responsibility.

The Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona affiliate is one of the most active of the Habitat affiliates and is consistently listed in the top ten among the nearly 1,600 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States.

We have completed more than 739 homes in the metro Phoenix area. We have built in Avondale, Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Surprise, Tempe and the Phoenix neighborhoods of Capitol Mall, Sunnyslope, South Phoenix, East Lake, Park Central, and Nuestro Barrio.

The Challenge

Even with the market slow-down, homeownership is still far out of reach for Habitat families. The median price of a Phoenix area existing single-family home at the end of 2008 was $191,300. Habitat families cannot qualify for a mortgage that requires a 10-20% down payment, a 6.4% interest rate and a monthly payment of more than $1200. They would have to earn close to $60,000 a year in order to purchase a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The majority of Habitat families earn less than $30,000
It takes an average hourly wage of at least $36.79 to afford a home or an hourly wage of $15 to rent according to the AZ Department of Housing. The median hourly wage is only $9.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 American Community Survey data reveals that in Arizona, almost half of all renters and close to 38% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing. That equates to 722,099 households or more than 2.4 million people. This is an increase from 1.25 million people in 2002.
Home prices have been increasing faster than income: According to the data from Federal Housing Finance Board, from year 2000 to 2007, the median sales price of homes in Arizona increased by 75%. During the same period, median family income increased by only 13.8%.

Our Solution

We coordinate all aspects of Habitat home building in our local area -- fund raising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing.
We build entire communities in addition to traditional infill revitalization building. This is accomplished by constructing new housing and renovating existing homes, mainly on parcels of land that have been donated or acquired through government grant funding programs.
We partner with corporations, individuals, foundations, faith and civic groups to provide the sponsor funding to cover the cost of construction materials to build or renovate each home.
We unite people of good will across race, ethnic, religious and geographic boundaries to build each home through their volunteer efforts.
We provide a “hand up” to our family partners as they work 400 hours of labor on the construction of their home and others’ homes. This is called “sweat equity”. All homeowners must complete the sweat equity prior to moving into their home.
We serve families earning between 30-60% of the area median income by providing a 0% interest mortgage. The average monthly mortgage payment is $400-500.
We ensure that families are accepted into the Habitat program based on their need, income, and their willingness to partner. Applicants go through a rigorous application process, as there are many more applicants than available homes.
We rejoice as our Habitat homeowners’ futures brighten due to a stabile, healthy environment that provides space to live, to grow and to dream.
We highlight the issue of affordable housing in the metro Phoenix area, insisting that no one in our area should go to sleep at night without a decent roof over his or her head.

Our Needs

To view our wish list click here

Donate Now

Make an on-line donation in support of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona

Photo Gallery

Check out the progress of our latest homes and events

View Gallery »

Contact Info