Habitat for Humanity – Providing a hand UP, not just a hand OUT!

My name is Jason Gapa, and I serve as the Partner Family Liaison at Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, located in Pontiac, Michigan. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that seeks to end poverty housing around the world by providing simple, decent, and affordable housing for people in need. In 2009, Habitat for Humanity was named the nation’s 8^th largest builder, and has built more than 400,000 homes around the world. Since 1994, Habitat has built or rehabilitated more than 100 homes in Oakland County alone, and has plans to complete 15 more this year.

Despite the misconceptions of being a “give-away program”, Habitat homeowners (Partner Families) work very hard to earn their homes by saving for their down payment, paying their monthly mortgages, and completing 300 hours of Sweat Equity. Partner Families earn their sweat equity by volunteering to work on their homes, their neighbors’ homes, and generally offering their talents to further the success of Habitat’s mission.

Habitat for Humanity relies heavily on volunteer support to complete the projects. In 2010, nearly 2,000 individuals came out to volunteer and support Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. Volunteers assist with more than just construction by providing and serving food to other volunteers, assisting in the office, serving in our ReStore, and participating in various committees and boards. As always, we continue to encourage more people to become involved by donating their time, talent, and resources.

Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County is also actively engaged in supporting and revitalizing the community. In the city of Pontiac, where much of the building occurs, there is a very low home ownership rate. We attempt to address this by allowing people to purchase affordable homes in Pontiac and educate them to become responsible homeowners. We also try to transform blighted neighborhoods by deconstructing and demolishing dilapidated structures and building new, energy efficient homes. In neighborhoods where the housing stock is more suitable, Habitat makes all efforts to restore homes to their previous state of beauty and utility.

This past winter, as a pilot project, we partnered with the City of Auburn Hills to design and construct a wheelchair ramp for a resident that suffered from a paralyzing illness. Mr. Wiley was unable to return home to the care of his family during his rehabilitation because he was wheelchair bound. Thanks to the support and dedication of city officials, Habitat staff, and AmeriCorps members the Wiley family is now able to provide care and support for their loved one at home. This is just one of the many great stories Habitat for Humanity and AmeriCorps has helped to create.