Aimee Giroux didn't set out to run a Habitat for Humanity affiliate. She has a culinary arts degree, worked in restaurants and was part owner of a transportation company before she took a part-time bookkeeping job at Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. Sixteen years later she's the executive director, covering Hampden County in Western Massachusetts.
In this episode of The PR Bunker Podcast, Aimee clears up the biggest misconception about Habitat, walks through the math that makes homeownership possible for working families, and shares the story of a little girl who grew up and recognized her in a hospital.
A few takeaways from the conversation:
Habitat families buy their homes. They pay a mortgage, taxes and homeowners insurance and handle their own maintenance like anyone else. Habitat underwrites or arranges a mortgage based on what the family can pay, keeping housing costs at no more than 29 percent of income, and covers the gap to market value. When Aimee started that subsidy averaged about $25,000. Now it runs into the hundreds of thousands. Homes sell for roughly $175,000 to $200,000, and most monthly payments land around $900 with taxes and insurance included. Families also take classes on budgeting, home maintenance and even how to be a good neighbor.
Aimee was in the hospital for a small procedure when the anesthesiologist asked if a student could sit in. The young woman looked at her and said she probably didn't remember her because she was little, but Aimee had built her mom and dad's house. She was about four then and is now around 20 and training to be a paramedic. Most families stay in their homes for the full 30 years of the mortgage, and some of their kids come back to volunteer or serve on the board.
There are 16 Habitat affiliates in Massachusetts and Habitat works in about 70 countries, but each affiliate runs its own programs. Aimee's advice is to give to your local affiliate if you want to see the impact in your own community. Volunteering isn't only construction either. The affiliate needs committee members, family mentors, office help and even clean aluminum cans, which earn a matching grant.
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is starting three new homeownership projects in Springfield and Holyoke and just pulled the permit for one of them. The office is in West Springfield, and you can reach the team at 413-739-5503 or through the affiliate's website.
Listen to the full episode above.
Reading is the hello. SBGA is where we get to yes.
Does Habitat for Humanity give houses away?
No. Habitat families buy their homes and pay a mortgage, taxes and insurance. Habitat sets the mortgage based on what the family can afford and subsidizes the difference from market value.
Who qualifies for a Greater Springfield Habitat home?
Aimee says the affiliate typically works with families earning between 35 and 60 percent of the area median income, which is below what most bank first-time homebuyer programs serve. Families complete homebuyer, budgeting and home maintenance classes along the way.
How can I help Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity without swinging a hammer?
You can donate, join a committee, mentor families, help in the office or drop off clean aluminum cans at the West Springfield office. Sharing the affiliate's posts and learning how local zoning affects affordable housing helps too.
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