St. Matthew Habitat for Humanity Ministry

Prologue:

This is the fourth in a series of articles that will appear in the Sunday bulletin over the next several weeks. These articles are designed to help our parishioners understand what Habitat for Humanity is all about, provide up to date facts, and guide our parishioners in supporting the project.

Chapter Four:  Building a Better Community

More than 12,000 poor San Antonio renter households live in physically deficient housing, the highest ratio (29%) of any major US city. 6,000 of these families live in overcrowded housing or are doubled up with other families in the same house. 25,308 or 51% of poverty households in San Antonio pay more than half of their income for rent. A full time San Antonio wage earner would have to earn $10.48 per hour to afford a typical two bedroom apartment. 41% of San Antonio renter households are unable to afford the rent for a typical two bedroom apartment.

Habitat serves very low-income families whose annual income is about $17,000 - $19,000.  Families must invest 300 hours of “sweat equity” where they support and help build their own homes and those of their neighbors.  Homeowners pay an affordable monthly mortgage payment of approximately $375 - $425, which includes insurance and taxes. By the end this year, 533 Habitat homes will have been built in San Antonio which represents more than $10 million worth of property added to the local tax rolls since 1976.

The San Antonio community realizes substantial benefits from Habitat houses.  The property tax base increases in blighted areas of the city and families have more income available to contribute to the growth of the San Antonio economy.  The Habitat houses catalyze improvement by prompting neighboring homeowners to begin to clean up and beautify their existing properties and buildings, creating more of a community environment in which families will take pride. Compared to renters of the same age, income, race, etc., homeowners are 28% more likely to repair or improve their homes, 10% more likely to attend church, and 15% more likely to vote.

Homeownership also builds successful children.  Compared to children of renters of the same age, income, race, etc., children of homeowners are 25% more likely to graduate from high school, 116% more likely to graduate from college, 20% less likely to become teenage mothers, and 59% more likely to own a home within 10 year’s of moving from their parents’ household.  (Statistics provided by Habitat of Humanity of San Antonio)

Our St. Matthew community will sponsor its 6th Habitat house this spring. Construction will begin on February 29, 2008.  The most important step in sponsoring any Habitat house is prayer. The bible verse that will guide our efforts again this year is from James 2:18 “I will show you my faith by what I do.”   Please pray for the success of our  St. Matthew 2008 Habitat for Humanity Project.  For more information, contact Susan McClure at 341-9623.  God bless.  (To Be Continued Next Week) [Top]