Study shows Habitat for Humanity’s economic impact on Greenville
January 6, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – A recent study shows that Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County has quantitatively affected communities throughout the county by increasing education, employment and engagement levels.
Surveys were mailed to all 239 Habitat families in Greenville and 52 were returned that asked questions about quality of life, financial situations, home construction, neighborhood impact and schools. The result shows the benefits that Habitat has shown locally and the findings are in line with what Habitat for Humanity has seen across the country.
Highlights of Habitat’s Greenville impact include:
– 98 percent said their home life is more stable.
– 94 percent report feeling hopeful about their future.
– 93 percent said they spend more quality time at home.
– 89 percent expressed satisfaction with construction quality of their home.
– 72 percent earned an associates, technical or bachelors degree
– 64 percent said their children’s school attendance increased.
– 58 percent reported family members attaining academic degrees
– 32 percent said their employment situation has improved.
“We have long known that Habitat is really in the business of transforming families – not just building homes,” said Monroe Free, president/CEO of Habitat Greenville. “This study shows exactly how much lives have been changed.”
Habitat for Humanity is the only organization in Greenville County providing zero-percent home mortgages, Free said. The average mortgage payment for a Habitat home is $418 including taxes and insurance.
Habitat Greenville provides affordable homeownership opportunities for families earning 30-60 percent of the area median income, he said. The organization maintains a foreclosure rate of less than one percent and 88 percent of mortgages paid on time.
Last fiscal year, 1,541 volunteers participated with Habitat Greenville, contributing more than 19,000 hours of service, he said. In 2013, Habitat Greenville and its funding partners made a total investment of $1.2 million in Greenville County and Habitat homeowners paid County property tax revenue of $142,974.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County was chartered in 1985 and has provided home ownership to 316 low-income families. Through affordable home construction, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville strives to eliminate poverty housing and the social and economic problems it causes.
