New Home Construction

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION

Since 1985, Morris Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabbed many homes making a difference in the lives of every Habitat homeowner who wished to own their own home. For future home building efforts, the Morris Habitat staff works to ensure that we have a promising pipeline of projects established. Our affordable housing program also includes developing other housing solutions to help low income homeowners stay in their homes through a program with Habitat International to work with low income neighborhoods focusing on neighborhood revitalization initiatives and asset and community building efforts.

The results of the Morris Habitat programs are that the houses are occupied by low-income families, most of who are well along in their no-interest mortgages. Since we began in 1985, we have had ZERO foreclosures!

In addition to the work in designated neighborhoods working with neighborhood revitalization, our home repair and A Brush With Kindness programs assist, low-income, elderly and/or disabled homeowners whose incomes are too low for repairs needed to maintain decent, safe and affordable housing. We also assist other charities with minor capital projects.

New Construction

A donation to Morris Habitat for Humanity helps build new affordable housing for low income families in our community. The typical Habitat home is a modest, well built, functional, low maintenance home that fits in with the surrounding community. Homes typically have a finished floor area between 950 and 1,200 square feet. A Habitat home generates taxes and puts a vacant, non-revenue producing lot on the tax rolls. Unlike many non-profits, property owned by Habitat homeowners is not removed from the tax rolls.

Morris Habitat holds a zero interest mortgage. The monthly payments from Habitat families provide some of the capital for future projects. In addition, the purchase price of the housing units sold to the selected families will be established solely by Habitat using its calculations and methodology. The homes will carry a 30-year deed restriction and must resell to another qualified low-income family.

Green Initiatives

Volunteers at Strickland planting

Morris Habitat for Humanity is proud to offer new homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label. The ENERGY STAR label means that your new home has been designed and built to standards well above other homes in the market today. It means better quality, better comfort, and better durability. It also means that your new home is a better value for today, and a better investment for tomorrow. The ENERGY STAR label gives you the peace of mind that your home has undergone a better process for inspections, testing, and verification to ensure that it meets strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Learn more about ENERGY STAR certified new homes at www.energystar.gov/newhomes.

Morris Habitat has been building all homes to ENERGY STAR standards since 2008. For new homes to receive the ENERGY STAR rating, they must meet strict guidelines. According to the ENERGY STAR website:
How New Homes Earn the ENERGY STAR:

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Homes achieve this level of performance through a complete package of building science measures including:

A Complete Thermal Enclosure System – Comprehensive air sealing, properly installed insulation, and high-performance windows work together to enhance comfort, improve durability, reduce maintenance costs, and lower monthly utility bills.

A Complete Heating and Cooling System – High-efficiency systems that are engineered and installed to deliver more comfort, better moisture control, improved indoor air quality, and quieter operation.

A Complete Water Management System – A comprehensive package of best building practices and materials protects roofs, walls and foundations from water damage, provides added protection, and reduces the risk of indoor air quality problems.

Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances – ENERGY STAR certified lighting, appliances, and fans are commonly installed throughout ENERGY STAR certified homes, helping to reduce monthly utility bills, while providing high-quality performance.

To ensure that a home meets ENERGY STAR guidelines, third–party verification by a certified Home Energy Rater (or equivalent) is required. This Rater works closely with the builder throughout the construction process to help determine the needed energy–saving equipment and construction techniques and conduct required on–site diagnostic testing and inspections to document that the home is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label.

To visit the ENERGY STAR website please click here.