Need your thoughts on a neighborhood issue - Habitat for Humanity

So there are two new houses being built on my block. They started them in late summer.

On Monday signs went up in front of them saying that they were Habitat for Humanity houses helping two families in need.

I drove by, thought "That's nice." and went on my way.

Got home yesterday and there was a letter from a "Concerned Neighborhood group" about how horrible this is, that it's bringing our property values down and if "These people couldn't afford to make it on their own they can only serve to cheapen our neighborhood and detroy our community"

(That's a direct quote from the letter.)

They are organizing a city hall meeting to protest these houses being put in and claim to have 20+ signatures from other neighbors at this point. And will be "coming around in expectation of my support."

I don't see the houses as being a big deal. We still live in a nice, desirable neighborhood and they are nice houses. I mean if you didn't know they were H4H you could never tell.

Am I being naive or are my neighbors being alarmist?

Message edited 1/10/2008 1:51:15 PM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I think its another case of "not in my backyard syndrome". People that receive homes through HFH undergo a huge background check & they need to work to qualify. I think its a good thing but other people have "other reasons" if you KWIM for not wanting it in their neighborhood.
My mother works for Maryhaven & you should see the protests that go on when they try to acquire homes to use as group homes, you'd think the neighbors were thinking the developmentally challenged were ax murderers.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

More often than not, H4H homeowners are BETTER neighbors and homeowners than "traditional" homeowners. They have put their own sweat equity in their home, and others, they are hard working people, and greatly appreciate what they've been given. They are trying to make a better life for themselves. Many "traditional" homeowners don't give a cr@p about their house, or their neighbors. I've seen quite a few houses that weren't H4H and the houses aren't maintained, grass isn't cut, stuff all over the yard. You can't judge someone's character based on their annual salary.....

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I thnk your neighbors are alarmists & in NIBY mode.

I would think that they're not going to hand the house over to crack addicts. I'm sure these people are well-qualified & decent human beings that deserve to bring their children up in a nice neighborhood too. I"m not sure what the criteria is to have a HFH house but I'm sure they've chosen carefully.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I don't think you are the naive one, but your neighbors are. My sister and her family volunteer for H4H once a year. The stories she tells me about the families moving in are ones you'd see on Extreme Home Makeover.

2 years ago she was part of a project for a family (dad and 3 kids) who devoted all of their time and $$ to his dieing wife (mother of the children). Mother eventually passed from cancer and the family wound up not being able to take care of their house anymore and it foreclosed.

You're going to tell me a family like that is going to bring down the neighborhood?

It's not like these houses are going to welfare related causes, a mother with 5 kids from 3 different baby daddies who does no work except get pregnant again.

Give these people a chance. They've all gone through extensive background checks and really deserve a little love from a kind community.

....

Message edited 3/7/2013 2:59:02 PM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I totally agree that the HFH families will not necessarily bring down the value of the home.

But every year my office participates in a Habitat house, and they have never been in the best areas. So in that sense, if your neighbors are used to seeing those signs (HFH) posted in less desirable areas, maybe they think people driving by or house hunting will assume your neighborhood is not as good as it is. Again, not agreeing with them, just trying to understand. The last 5 houses I have worked on have been in areas in which I personally would never want to live. I'm surprised HFH bought land in an expensive area..It almost seems like it would go to better use being able to buy more plots for more homes in a less desirable area.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Message edited 1/10/2008 9:26:32 AM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

i would fwd the letter to HTH and let them know that these people are starting a campaign against the homes--so that a representative from HTH can attend the meeting and explain the qualification to receiving a home.

it sounds like the ones who made the letter are just under the assumption these people get a "free house". this isn't so in many situations---they must qualify as well as they do many times have a mortgage. (they can try and qualify for an interest free or lower APR mortgage)

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

FAQ about qualifications from the Middle Island HTH site:



1. Do I just get a house for free?
- No - like everything in life you have to work for what you want. Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk prides itself on being a “hand up" not a “hand out.” Our program is an affordable housing program in which the homeowners pay a 20-30 year mortgage at no interest and no down payment. The down payment is the year’s worth of work you put in!

2. How do I get an application? Applications are NOT given out at the office and are NOT mailed. You must register and attend an orientation to receive an application. You MUST sign in and attend the whole orientation! This orientation will answer almost all of your questions. If you miss any part of this, you do not qualify for the Habitat program. Orientations are scheduled as homeowners are needed throughout the year. Check our phone number (631) 924-4966 x232 or this space for updates. If you miss the orientation you will have to wait until the next one is scheduled. No exceptions.

3. I registered for an orientation now what?
You will receive a packet of information including directions and a list of required documentation for the orientation. In addition to the required documentation, a $10 money order is required to pull a credit check. Applications will be distributed at the orientation and completed that night. Habitat representatives will be present to answer all questions and assist you in completing the application.

3. I filled out my application now what? If you are missing any paperwork, your application is NOT complete. This will delay your chances for putting your family in to the family selection process. You will have one week after the orientation night to have the information in to the office. If the documents are not received by the date announced, your application will not be reviewed and you will have to wait for the next orientation.

4. I have turned in all of my information what is next?
Each application is processed by a team called family selection. If any information is missing or there are any questions you will be contacted by someone on this team. The first step in review is confirming eligibility within our income guidelines, $28,000-$47,000 gross annual income (family 4 or less, add $2,500 for each additional member). If you do not fall within the guidelines, a letter will be sent to you stating this and your money order will be returned as we will not be pulling a credit report. Once finances are reviewed, a committee will meet to decide if you will be moving on for an interview. Once decided, you will receive a letter stating our decision. If moving on, an interview date and time will be enclosed.

5. I am coming in for an interview, now what?
At the interview night, you will be interviewed by 2 volunteers and asked several questions. If there is a co-applicant, the co-applicant must be present as well. After the interview, the volunteers will convene and determine if you are going on for a home visit. You will receive a phone call the next day and a letter to follow to inform you if you will be receiving a home visit. Within 2 weeks, you will receive a phone call from volunteers who will coordinate a time for a home visit. The volunteers will come to your house/ apartment to ask more questions and assess your need. After all home visits are completed, the committee will meet to determine if you will be recommended to the board. The board meets monthly at the end of the month so a decision may be delayed. Once a decision is made by the board, you will be notified. If you are not contacted immediately, we are working as fast as we can to carefully process your application. Someone will contact you as soon as we have a decision that meets our guidelines.

6. I have been approved what else do I have to do?
You are required to have a steady income. You are required to work about 350 (270 labor hours) sweat equity hours towards your home and 6 days of community service within your new community. This means on the site of your home, other habitat homes, in the Habitat office or on other projects that benefit the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk. Included in these hours are 2 months of classes that you will complete at the Community Development Corporation of Long Island. In addition, there will be other exciting things like designing your home. You will get to pick out certain items, for example the color of your floors, your siding, and the color of the kitchen counters too! If you do not meet all of your requirements before the final inspection, your home could be given to someone else on the list who has! If you ever have any questions about your hours just ask someone in the office who can keep you informed. You must sign in and out at each job so your hours can be tracked.

7. House Payments:
Finally your family is in your new home! Remember you must keep up to date on your NO INTEREST mortgage to keep your house. Your payments make up a revolving fund that enables us to build more houses for more families in need.





ETA: this took all of 1 minute for me to find online---too bad the elitists who created that letter didn't feel the need to do this.

Message edited 1/10/2008 9:32:37 AM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I think your neighbors have no issues donating to charity...as long as it is in "bad" neighborhoods. They just don't want to see it. They sound like paranoid SOB's.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Maybe this is a thinly veiled race issue--I found this on the Nassau HFH site:

According to the latest available statistics (through 1997), 33 percent of Habitat homeowners are Anglo; 67 percent are people of color.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I agree about getting the letter to HFH. Maybe they can inform your neighbors about the families that will be moving in.

Everyone cries at the end of Extreme Home Makeover - maybe your neighbors' prejudices will be overpowered by compassion.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I knew this topic was going to piss me off as soon as I read the subject line, so I will keep it brief.

I hate selfish and disgusting people. I hate people afflicted with "NIMBY" syndrome.

I am sorry if you fall into that group.

I just amazes me that people can demand that people get off welfare...lament the homelessness situation,

but refuse to allow PRODUCTIVE measures to be taken if they have to deal with it on a personal level.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

It's amazing how naive and cruel people are in this world. HFH doesn't build houses for criminals/drug addicts/undesirable...they build houses for families in need like families that would not otherwise be able to afford a home for various reasons. Most of the families are hard working people that just need a little boost. There is no evidence that shows that affordable housing has any adverse effect to housing prices and has been shown to do the opposite. Shame on your neighbors...what selfish, small minded people!

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

I can understand how they might be worried or nervous, if they have misconstrued notions

But that's just due to a lack of information

I say invite the HFH to the meeting so that they can be informed

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighbohood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Thanks everyone. I will definitely forward the letter - I hadn't even thought of that.

I'm also going to print out those FAQs so when the "concerned neighbors" come by I can hand it out.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighborhood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Message edited 1/10/2008 2:06:13 PM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighborhood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Message edited 1/10/2008 3:52:38 PM.

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighborhood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Re: Need your thoughts on a neighborhood issue - Habitat for Humanity

Message edited 1/10/2008 2:28:24 PM.