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March 2013

Happy Days

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Habitat Gives a Hand Up to Homeowners

N. Oakland Co. is an integral part of Habitat for Humanitys efforts to promote ownership.

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14 March 2013
14-15

By Allison Batdorff
Oxford Life Contributor

t takes a community to raise a roof, and Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County does this by bringing together people in need with those who can help from donors to business partners, construction experts to volunteers who simply pick up a hammer and say, put me to work.

Lake Orion native Tiffany Hickey is grateful for that community of support its what landed the 33-year old a home after many years of waitressing at C.Js Lakeside Grill, renting, living with her parents and hoping that one day, shed be a good example of a responsible homeowner for her three children ages 6, 11 and 12. That day arrived sooner than planned, thanks to Habitat. Hickey applied to become a Habitat homeowner through the organizations program of helping Oakland County residents learn financial responsibility, purchase a no-profit mortgage from Habitat and put in hundreds of hours of sweat equity alongside dedicated community volunteers to make their eventual home habitable. For Hickey, Habitat set out to rehab a house in Lake Orion. Volunteers from Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church rolled up their sleeves, donating funds and elbow grease to the house rehabilitation. The church collaborates with Habitat annually on a local project toward boosting home ownership in their community. The church is a long-time and major supporter of Habitat, contributing volunteers and $10-15,000 every year. This community is an integral part of our work in Oakland County, says Kim Howard, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County Manager of Partnerships. This area is active and hard-working and really cares about the people who live here. One person in particular, Mike Evola, is a champion volunteer from the area, Howard said.

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock; design by Bryan Gottlieb

For more information on Habitat for Humanity or to volunteer in your area, visit habitat.org.

The Lake Orion resident leads projects through the church, raises funds for Habitat and has worked with Habitat for Humanity on a national scale during Hurricane Katrina relief projects. Evola knew he wanted to volunteer when he retired after 30 years in the retail business. Volunteering for Habitat has meant learning new skills as well as sharing his own, Evola said. Its been a very rewarding experience for me, Evola said. Ive met some very good people doing this, made some good friends, and increased my own skills immensely. Evola worked tirelessly on Hickeys house, which needed new siding, a roof, new electric the works, he said. As a homeowner himself, Evola knows the intangible stability that homeownership can bring to a family., Evola said.

In Oakland County, Habitat has helped 158 families become successful homeowners since 1996. Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 500,000 homes and served more than two million people around the world.
I know personally the benefit of owning your own home and what that means for a childs upbringing and raising a family, Evola said, and . The reward from his effort came in the form of small moments, like seeing Hickeys kids doing homework on their own kitchen table and running out the door to play in their own backyard, Evola said. As a homeowner himself, Evola knows the intangible stability that homeownership can bring to a family, Evola said. I know personally the benefit of owning your own home and what that means for a childs upbringing and raising a family, Evola said.

Finding safe, affordable housing still eludes many north Oakland County residents, Howard said. While communities like Lake Orion, Oxford, Auburn Hills and others may not seem like typical Habitat locales, every corner of Oakland County has people who need a hand up not a hand-out toward lasting home ownership. The economic turmoil of the past few years has invigorated Habitats presence in Oakland County. The organization fielded more than 700 applications in 2012 alone, with seven families approved for build projects toward home ownership this year. The more volunteer, donors and corporate partners Habitat can attract, the more people it can help advance to home ownership. Given the chaos of the past six years, with the real estate crash and the resulting inventory of vacant homes, we should all be united in this mission to make sure every deserving Oakland County citizen can in some way achieve a safe, affordable place to live, says Tim Ruggles, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County CEO/ Executive Director. Any number of changing circumstances can lead to housing instability, Ruggles said. The reasons Oakland County residents cant go through traditional means toward home ownership vary, said Ruggles. It could be a case of divorce resulting in single parenthood and a reduced income. It could be someone bravely exiting an abusive relationship. Or a family whose sole breadwinner lost a job due to economic tightening. Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County does not give away homes or donate them. The organization is rooted in the concept of giving a hand up, not a handout. Homeowners apply, demonstrate both a need and the ability to make monthly mortgage payments, and then they take classes in financial independence and contribute hundreds of hours of service on their particular own build project or other Habitat projects all before receiving the keys to their home. Habitat homeowners must not be able to qualify for a traditional mortgage but be solvent enough to pay a Habitat-held mortgage. Homeowners are chosen on the basis of stringent criteria, including their ability to maintain their home and be a contributing member of their neighborhood and community. In Oakland County, Habitat has helped 158 families become successful homeowners since 1996. Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 500,000 homes and served more than two million people around the world. But theres more work to be done. The organization is looking to Oxford and Lake Orion to expand its reach to young people, businesses and future homeowners. The need for donors, corporate sponsors and volunteers continues to be huge. This year, Habitat Oakland County is launching its Critical Repairs Program, to ease the financial burden of essential home repairs that can make the difference Continued on next page
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Clockwise, from top: 1) Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County fielded more than 700 applications in 2012 alone; 2) Tiffany Hickey sits inside her home built by Habitat for Humanity. The Lake Orion resident is pictured with her children, MacKinzie and Bailey; 3) (From left) Mike Evola and Karen Swietlik of Lake Orions Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church received a plaque of appreciation from Kim Howard, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland Countys Manager of Partnerships, for the churchs dedication and support of the organization; 4) Beyond building houses from scratch, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County volunteers also repair existing homes, making the difference between safe housing and dangerous living; 5) Mike Evola is an active Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County volunteer. The Lake Orion resident leads projects through his church, raises funds for Habitat and has worked with Habitat for Humanity on a national scale during Hurricane Katrina relief projects; 6) Tiffany Hickey (right), purchased a home through Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County.

Continued from previous page between safe housing and dangerous living. The program was inspired by the recent economic downturn, which has made it difficult for some families to make essential repairs. Following the same model as Habitats homebuyer program, a homeowner must apply for a zero- or low-interest loan of $15,000 or less to fix a roof, upgrade plumbing, replace essential systems or build ramps or widen doorways for accessibility.

This community is an integral part of our work in Oakland County This area is active and hard-working and really cares about the people who live here.
Kim Howard Habitat for Humanity of Oakland Co. The organization also invites business partnerships and seeks to build relationships with local entrepreneurs. More than 200 large and small companies have contributed resources to give local families a hand up in Oakland County, Howard says. Corporate partners provide funds, building materials, skilled laborers and volunteers. The teamwork, publicity and sense of accomplishment help collaborating businesses, resulting in a win-win for all involved, Howard says. Our partnerships grow local prosperity in a way that benefits everyone, Howard notes. For Hickey, homeownership was not only a dreamcome-true for her; it is helping her children do better in school now that they have a home to return to every night and a familiar kitchen table where they do their homework as a family. We planted what we wanted in the yard, and the kids were so excited to pick out the colors for the walls in their bedrooms, Hickey said. We look around the house and see the parts that we built with our own hands. The whole process really gives me a sense of accomplishment and the kids are super happy here.
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