History of the Habitat Organization

Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County (HFHBC) is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry under IRS Code 501 (c)(3), and is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. HFH of Brevard County, Inc. was established when Habitat for Humanity of South Brevard (HFHSB) merged with Space Coast Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) on June 30, 2005.  HFHSB was incorporated in 1985 by a small group of caring individuals. Led by the late Cathy Dryden, the group saw a need and had a vision. The first Habitat house in South Brevard was completed in 1987, and the ministry has continued to grow and serve the community for the past 18 years.

HFHBC develops and sells homes with the very low-income residents of Brevard County, at an average sales price of $68,000 - $75,000, which is determined by a qualified appraiser. Because household earnings at or below 56% of the median income cannot afford to pay the market rate for a typical 3-bedroom home, HFHBC has strived to develop a program that provides home ownership opportunities even to the economically disadvantaged households in Brevard County. Due to partnerships that are developed by HFHBC with community churches, civic groups, businesses, city and county governments, and individuals, donations of money, supplies, and expertise are provided to assist in meeting the affordability needs required by a very low-income household.

A family/individual must meet three major criteria for qualification of the HFHBC program:

Each individual partner family is also required to attend 11 homebuyer educational workshops provided by HFHBC through various organizational or business partnerships in the community.

Also, providing great support in the formula is the sweat equity hours that are accomplished by Habitat partner families in the construction of their own homes, and on other homes, as well as working and giving back to the community by volunteering with another non-profit.

HFHBC holds a 20 - 30 year mortgage on the property, and charges zero interest so that the home will remain affordable to the client. The monthly mortgage payment is approximately $300 per month, and includes homeowners insurance; and property tax escrow for a typical 3-bedroom (1040 sq. ft.) home. The difference between the actual sales price of $75,000 and the household affordability factor of $48,000 is $27,000. HFHBC carries a second mortgage for the difference between the cost of the home and the affordability factor that is forgiven over a 15 year period, or as long as the family remains in the home.

Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County, Inc. (HFHBC) is committed to increasing the number of safe, decent, and affordable homes built with the economically disadvantaged citizen in an effort to eliminate substandard housing in our community. Through partnerships with the Coalition of the Hungry and Homeless, Salvation Army, Pregnancy Resources, Resurrection Ranch, and area domestic violence shelters, we continue to provide home ownership opportunities to clients from many diverse backgrounds with many different needs.

Because of the increasing number of economically disadvantaged citizens in the county needing decent, but affordable housing, HFHBC accepted the challenge to increase their building capacity.

A new and positive program, now in its second year, is the City of Melbourne Rehabilitation program. This partnership enables HFHBC to support the City of Melbourne’s effort to eliminate substandard and inadequate housing. By acting as a subcontractor with the City of Melbourne, HFHBC is able to rehab existing homes with economically disadvantaged residents who need a hand up to repair their existing homes. This program is now expanding into a partnership with Brevard County.

In May 2003, in partnership with Forte Macauley Development Company, HUD, Brevard County and the City of Melbourne, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on our first deed-restricted subdivision, a 28 home community called “Faith Landings”! On November 1, 2003, we hosted the “Milestone Celebration Weekend”, an opportunity to look back, as we move toward the completion of the 100^th Habitat home to be built in South Brevard.

This community will have the mechanisms in place to insure the continuing success of the family and the neighborhood. New programs such as a homeowners association and continuing sweat equity will insure the upkeep on the property during the life of the mortgage.

Celebrating over 20 years, Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County has been the tool to bring thousands of volunteers together with the economically disadvantaged residents of Brevard County. Together this partnership has provided hope to individuals and families in need, who now take pride in being stakeholders in the community that believed in helping their neighbors in need.