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Welcome to our home! We’re glad you chose to visit us and learn more about our mission and program. And if there are any questions you may have that aren’t answered through this website, you are welcome to contact us through the contact information. But before you explore any further, maybe you should know what we do and why we do it.
Since 1993, Cumberland Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) has built homes for low-income families of Cumberland County. Back then, the organization was almost entirely run by volunteers. And we built only one house a year. But since then, we have averaged about three houses a year. Two years (2005 & 2008), CVHFH has built as many as five houses a year.
We build homes through either new construction on vacant lots, or by renovating existing homes that were in dilapidated condition. Many times, the price of renovating a dilapidated house is as much as a newly built house! Regardless of its initial condition, though, the final product is a well-built house for a family that now can afford to own a home; usually with monthly mortgage payments that are about 50%-60% of their previous rent! And that includes the escrow (insurance & taxes)! The final mortgage always has 0% interest, but that benefit does not come easy or free. Partnering families must work 400 hours of “sweat equity” on their house to live up to their part of the partnership.
We build these homes through the generosity of our community. We couldn’t do it any other way. And it’s this generosity that makes it affordable housing. Whether it is volunteer labor, donated services, or donated building supplies, they all come together to keep the cost of the house lower than what the market would charge. And those savings are then passed on to the future homeowner. Combine that low cost with a 0% interest mortgage, and you have a dream realized.
But the most important thing you should know about us is that we do this work through Christian love for one another; with the firm belief that every deserving family should have a simple, decent, affordable home. So relax and stay a while. You’re among friends in our home. Maybe you could even join us in our mission.
