April 2008
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.” – Margaret
Mead, Bucks County Resident and Anthropologist
 In
1990, a group of Bucks County citizens recognized the need for
affordable housing in Bucks County and decided to take on the
task. Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County was organized and became
the 535th affiliate of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Construction
began on the first of 14 homes to be built in Bristol. Our growing
affiliate took a giant leap in 2001, taking on one of Habitat
for Humanity’s largest projects in the east, a mixed-income
73-unit townhome community.
2008 will be a landmark year for Habitat Bucks; a year filled
with change and new beginnings. This spring, we will break ground
on the final cluster of homes in Emerald Hollow. With construction
to be complete by early fall, this next year will also see our
final home dedication in the community.
Also this spring, our operations will move under one roof, combining
the office, warehouse space and a ReStore operation. Our former
ReSale events will become a daily operation. The ReStore will
offer new and gently used building materials and home furnishings
to the public. The operation will not only help to reduce the
amount of material that goes into landfills, but also produce
an additional revenue stream to support the mission of Habitat
for Humanity of Bucks County.
This fall, we expect to break ground on our next project in Bristol,
which is presently in the land development process. At the same
time, we are actively searching for additional build sites and
rehab projects. The Bristol project, and all future projects,
will focus on green building techniques. This will allow us to
provide affordable housing that will also be affordable to maintain
for the homeowners.
The staff and volunteers are all working hard to accomplish these
goals. But it is not enough.
Despite our best efforts, the need for affordable housing continues
to grow in our community. Today there are an estimated 26,000
people living in Bucks County in need of affordable housing. These
families are forced to pay more than half of their income for
housing, endure overcrowded conditions and/or live in units with
severe physical deficiencies. The high cost of housing leaves
low-income families little money for other basic necessities like
food, clothing and healthcare. Substandard housing can endanger
the health and safety of its occupants, erode their hope and self-worth,
and impair their children’s ability to succeed in school.
These families are vital to the economic health of our community
as they provide needed services with the jobs they fill. They
are EMTs, child care workers, social service workers, hospital
technicians and administrative assistants. They are also volunteer
firemen and community team coaches. The Bucks County community
needs them to stay here, but they need our help to do so.
Volunteerism is the hallmark of Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers
work daily to support our construction and operations. They are
a critical component in keeping our expenses as low as possible.
However, with the escalating cost of land, materials, and operational
costs, the expenses increase daily. Homeowners carry a zero- or
low-interest mortgage for the construction cost of their home.
In holding the mortgages, Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
will wait for 30 years to recoup those construction costs. Factoring
in the cost of money, after 30 years that translates into only
about 40% odf the ral cost of the homes. You do the math.
Habitat does not sustain itself on government grants, but depends
on the generosity of neighbors and partner families to provide
the necessary resources to make safe affordable housing a matter
of conscience and action in our community. It relies on the many
thoughtful, committed citizens of Bucks County to take action,
give funds and spread the word about the affordable housing crisis
in our wealthy community.
With the affordable housing crisis expect to grow by as much
as 45% over the next ten years, our “small group”
must rally together the money and action needed to sustain Habitat
for Humanity. Our mission is critical to our community. My only
fear is that, as is human nature, we may not take the steps necessary
to keep this grassroots organization building houses and ultimately,
healthier communities. That we may instead say to ourselves, someone
with a louder voice and deeper pockets will contribute more or
better than I can. Every donation, whether $10 from a committed
citizen or a $100,000 house sponsorship from a committed business,
changes our world. Did you know that if every individual living
in Bucks County donated just $10 each year, we could meet our
entire budget? Together our small contributions meet to make a
big difference. Our 76 partner families are proof of that.
Together, we can build a community where, if you work hard, you
can afford a simple, decent place to raise your family; where
every child has an opportunity to succeed in school and life;
where no parent has to choose between paying rent and giving their
child breakfast. The impact of your commitment extends far beyond
helping a family to survive. When a family is living in crisis
our businesses, our neighborhoods, our schools, our entire community
suffers.
Your investment in Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County provides
the foundation for our continued growth and success in providing
more local families with a place to call home. This is the time
to come together and create a community where substandard housing
is politically, religiously and socially unacceptable. Wouldn’t
Margaret Mead be proud of us!
In partnership,
Linda S. Andrews
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