Build Strength Through Shelter Orientation

We build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
HabiJax
Orientation

Welcome!
Our Mission to put
God’s love into action,
and bring people
together to build
homes, communities
and hope

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International
What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in
nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in
approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world
where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward our
vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with
people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.
How does Habitat for Humanity help families?
People in your community and all over the world partner with Habitat to
build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help
build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable
mortgage.

Our mission
Seeking to put God’s love into action Habitat for Humanity brings people
together to build homes, communities and hope.
Our vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our principles
1. Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.
2. Focus on shelter.
3. Advocate for affordable housing.
4. Promote dignity and hope.
5. Support sustainable and transformative development.

Quick facts
• HFHI was founded in 1976 as a nonprofit Christian ministry
• To date, HFHI has served more than 1 million families – representing
5 million people – by helping to improve their housing conditions
• Currently, there are more than 1,400 affiliates in the United States
and 70 national organizations around the world that coordinate
Habitat house-building projects in over 3,000 communities around
the world
• Habitat affiliates are community level organizations that act in
partnership with HFHI
• HFHI ranks as the 16th largest homebuilder in the U.S. (according to
Builder Magazine - 2016)

How does Habitat for Humanity homeownership work?
Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with
their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based
on three criteria:
• The applicant’s level of need.
• Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
• Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds
of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers
and other Habitat homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.
Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.

Does Habitat for Humanity only build new houses?
Habitat for Humanity works in a number of different ways to create decent,
affordable housing.
• In addition to new construction, Habitat also renovates existing homes in
many communities, particularly in urban areas.
• Habitat for Humanity helps people repair and improve their own homes and
neighborhoods.
• Habitat’s Disaster Response works with local communities to address a
variety of housing needs after natural disasters.
• Habitat’s advocacy work raises awareness and support for decent and
affordable housing around the world.
• Outside of North America, Habitat works with partner organizations to serve
even more families through innovative financing methods.

How does Habitat for Humanity utilize volunteers?
Volunteers play an essential role in our mission of eliminating substandard
housing. Volunteers can help in a variety of ways, both on the construction
site and in non-construction capacities.
• Volunteer locally
• Travel and build
• Volunteer long-term
• Volunteer as part of a group
• Volunteer as part of a special event

Does Habitat for Humanity take donations?
Habitat for Humanity relies on gifts from individuals, corporations and other
groups to help families in need of decent and affordable homes around the
world. All donations of any amount are deeply appreciated
We also have local home improvement stores called Habitat ReStores, which
sell reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and appliances to the
public. The money made from these sales is used to help families build a
better future.
How are donations distributed and used?
Designated donations are allocated in support of the U.S. affiliate, national
organization or program of the donor’s choosing. Undesignated gifts are
invested through the Global Impact Fund where they can have the greatest
impact.

Is Habitat for Humanity a Christian organization?
Yes, we are a global nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. All
who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious
preference or background. We have a policy of building with people in need
regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from
all backgrounds.
Non-proselytizing policy
Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations will not proselytize. Nor
will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part
of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on
the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a
particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce
conversion to a particular faith.

About HabiJax

What is HabiJax?
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (known as HabiJax), is the local affiliate
of Habitat for Humanity International.
Founded in 1988, HabiJax has provided affordable homeownership, through
new and rehabbed homes, to over 2,000 families in communities around the
urban core—more than any of the other 1,400 U.S. affiliates.
In addition, HabiJax is an advocate for affordable housing and fair housing
policies, and provides workshops and other training to help families improve
their housing conditions. HabiJax is a multifaceted organization with many
roles: builder, community developer, mortgage lender and affordable housing
advocate.
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
(HabiJax)

Our local vision
HabiJax is a catalyst for comprehensive community engagement and
transformation in a vibrant city where all residents, neighborhoods, and
businesses collaborate in its development.
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
(HabiJax)
Our local impact
Building communities together with our partners, we have improved the city
with high-quality, affordable homes and enhanced neighborhoods, providing
a better quality of life for homeowners and their children in the Urban Core of
Jacksonville.

Strategic Plan & 2018 Goals

Serve families through
sustainable construction and
housing support services and
economic development
opportunities
Leverage shelter as a catalyst
for community transformation
Support market approaches
that increase products,
services and financing for
affordable housing
Mobilize volunteers as
hearts, hands, and
voices for the cause of
adequate, affordable
housing
Fund the mission Grow skills and leadership capabilities Operate with excellence
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, Inc.
Local Approaches in Support of Global Objectives

HabiJax Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Build Community
Impact
Improve Housing
Conditions
sustainable construction
and housing support
services
Leverage shelter as a
catalyst for community
transformation
Grow capacity to serve the
most vulnerable, the
disaster-affected and the
urbanizing world
Build Sector
Impact
Partner To Increase
Shelter Access
Support market
approaches that increase
products, services and
financing for affordable
housing
Promote policies and
systems that advance
access to adequate,
affordable housing
Build Societal
Impact
Inspire Action to End
Poverty Housing
Serve as a leading voice in
growing awareness of
housing as a critical
foundation for breaking
the cycle of poverty
hearts, hands and voices
for the cause of adequate,
affordable housing
Build a Sustainable
Organization
Mobilize Resources
and Steward Them
Faithfully
Fund the mission
Grow skills and leadership
capabilities
Operate with excellence

2018 Goals & Objectives
Build Community
Impact
Improve Housing
Conditions
sustainable construction
and housing support
services
• Build 30 new homes and close 49 total homes
in FY2018
• Approve and orient 40 new homebuyers in
FY2018

Build Sector
Impact
Partner To Increase
Shelter Access
Support market
approaches that increase
products, services and
financing for affordable
housing
• Develop and implement third-party mortgage
plan
• Sell a portion of our mortgage portfolio
• Lower average mortgage delinquency rate
• Enhance Homebuyer Education Program
• Add new commercial in-kind donation partners

Build Societal
Impact
Inspire Action to End
Poverty Housing
Serve as a leading voice in
growing awareness of
housing as a critical
foundation for breaking
the cycle of poverty
hearts, hands and voices
for the cause of adequate,
affordable housing
• Increase social media followers
• Develop and implement enhanced advocacy
plan
• Advocate for higher funding level for CCTCP
• Engage volunteers in local advocacy efforts
• Obtain and share homeowner testimonies
• Add new volunteer groups/organizations
• Create new volunteer opportunities
• Maintain optimum ratio of returning/new
volunteers
• Enhance the volunteer experience

Build a Sustainable
Organization
Mobilize Resources
and Steward Them
Faithfully
Fund the mission
Grow skills and leadership
capabilities
Operate with excellence
• Increase total Contributions revenue
• Optimize Grant revenue and compliance
• Process and close New Market Tax Credit revenue
• Maximize value of gift in-kind donations
• Increase total ReStore revenue
• Improve customer service, workplace culture, and
employee engagement
• Enhance supervisory skills and leadership
effectiveness
• Decrease operating expenses for Hubbard St.
• Maintain operating expense levels for ReStores
• Develop and implement enhanced Safety Training
Program

Community Development &
Neighborhood Revitalization

Homeownership
New Construction and
Rehabilitation of Existing Homes
Owner Occupied Products
A Brush with Kindness, Critical
Home Repair, Weatherization
Housing Services
Homeownership Counseling
& Education
Advocacy
Affordable Housing Issues
on the Federal, State,
and Local Level
NEIGHBORHOOD
REVITALIZATION
Approach to Community Development –
Neighborhood Revitalization

• HabiJax currently focuses its housing services in the
New Town neighborhood of Jacksonville (located just
west of Downtown)
• Having focused our efforts only on homeownership for
over two decades, the affiliate changed its model to
provide additional services to non-Habitat homeowners in
New Town
• Over 300 homes built or rehabbed in New Town to date.
Neighborhood Revitalization –
New Town

Neighborhood Revitalization –
New Town

• A partnership of public and private organizations that are developing
a continuum of services to help children and their families living in
the New Town neighborhood achieve the goals of healthy
development, academic success and well-being of the
neighborhood’s children.
• The mission of the New Town Success Zone is to provide a place-
based continuum of services from prenatal to college or post
secondary training for the children and their families living in the
neighborhood.
• 4 main subcommittees – Health, Early Childhood, Public Education,
Neighborhood Safety and Stability (HabiJax is co-chair of NSS)
• Approximately 30 partners involved – local hospitals (Baptist Health,
etc.), Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Edward Waters College, Boys and
Girls Club of Northeast Florida, etc.
New Town Success Zone

Homeownership Qualification

Program Criteria
HabiJax’s core homeownership program sells new and renovated
homes with affordable mortgages to qualified buyers who meet our
income requirements. Families also attend financial educational
classes to prepare them for long-term success.
To qualify, all applicants must have lived or worked in Duval County
for at least six months and must demonstrate the following criteria:
• Need for Housing
• Ability to Pay
• Willingness to Partner

Need for Housing
• Inadequate shelter because of problems with heating,
electricity, water supply, structural safety, etc.
• Overcrowding in the household
• Spending more than 40% of income on housing
• Residing in a drug or crime infested neighborhood
• Residing in subsidized housing
• Living in a residence that is not secured by a lease
agreement

Ability to Pay
• Income must be between 35% and 80% of the area
median income of Duval County
• Must have less than $1,500 in delinquent debt and a
credit score above 600 (if no credit score, must meet
non-traditional credit guidelines)
• Must be able to make a down payment equal to 1% of
the purchase price of the home after approval

Willingness to Partner
• A minimum of 300 sweat equity (volunteer) hours are
required from each homebuyer
• Acceptance of HabiJax’s First Right of Repurchase
Policy
• Accept a home in neighborhoods in which HabiJax
operates (currently New Town)
• Make monthly mortgage payments on time once you
have closed

Home Buying Process
• Letter of Agreement
– 120 Day Recertification
– Sweat Equity
– Down Payment
– Educational Workshops
• Property Selection
• Construction of home
• Closing
• Dedication

Homeownership Products

New Construction
• New construction involves building a house from the ground up on a
vacant lot
• HabiJax builds new homes in a variety of styles unique to our affiliate
• House styles are designed to compliment the architecture of the
existing homes in the neighborhoods we build in

Rehab
• HabiJax renovates existing homes that we purchased or that were
donated to us
• Each rehab is unique and takes a different scope of work

Recycle
• Recycled homes are HabiJax homes that have been repurchased by
the affiliate
• These homes are then renovated and sold to a new HabiJax
homeowner
• Some older models will be updated with stone or brick borders in the
front

Owner Occupied Products

Program Criteria
• Solely own and live in the home where the work is to be done with
no rental income for that property.
• Make less than 60% of the median income for Jacksonville.
• Be current on mortgage and taxes and not have any judgments or
liens against them or the home.
• Be willing to complete assigned workshops and sweat equity.
• Be willing to sign a document that they will reimburse us for the
value of the work only if they sell the property within 5 years.

A Brush With Kindness
• Offers basic exterior home renovation services to non-HabiJax
homeowners who cannot afford to make needed improvements to
their home at market rates
• Homeowners must be low-income and live in New Town
• Project scope is landscaping and exterior painting

Critical Home Repair
• Lead abatement
• Siding Replacement (full or partial)
• House wrap and windows
• Re-shingling or re-roofing
• OSB sheathing
• New structural roof system
• Structural repairs to walls or porch areas
• Foundation work (repairing piers etc.)
• Brick/stucco replacement/repair

Weatherization
• Replacement of windows and doors
• Caulking/foaming cracks and gaps
• Insulating openings, attics, crawlspaces, etc.
• Minor repairs to ventilation systems
• Adding or replacing door seals
• Insulating pipes and duct work; wrapping water heaters
• Replacing Handler/condenser
• Insulation in walls
• Energy audits before and after work

Education & Programs

Hicks Prep Club and Scholarship
Program
• The Hicks Prep Club is an enrichment program for students (grades
7-12), who reside in Jacksonville Housing Authority, Section 8, and
HabiJax properties (Homebuyers children are included)
• The Prep Club utilizes monthly meetings, an After School Program, a
book club, test prep, and other programs to assist students in
reaching their full academic potential
• The Prep Club also offers an incentives program that rewards
students for their hard work and achievements en-route to applying
for and becoming Hicks Scholars
• The Program is generously funded by David and Ann Hicks.

HUD Certified Housing Counseling
Agency
• HabiJax provides HUD housing counseling services for all
income levels in the following areas
– Fair Housing Assistance
– Home Improvement and Rehabilitation Counseling
– Homebuyer Education Programs
– Money Debt Management
– Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling
– Post-purchase Counseling
– Predatory Lending
– Pre-purchase Counseling

City Certified Homeownership Class
• 8-Hour Homebuyer Education Workshop
– Preparing to purchase a home
– Establishing a budget
– Choosing the right financing
– Finding the right home
– Protecting your home
– Foreclosure prevention
– Disaster preparedness
• This monthly class is open to anyone in Jacksonville who
is purchasing a home

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