February Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri (HFHS) has been building stronger communities in Greene County for 35 years. People in search of safe, stable, affordable housing partner HFHS to change their lives forever. Since 1988, HFHS has served over 1,200 households through home buying, home repairs and preservation, and neighborhood revitalization.

Our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope by helping partners achieve their goals of owning a home and helping those who own a home to preserve and repair it. We’re dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty and believe that every person should have a safe and affordable place to live.

According to the 2021 Community Focus Report, both a lack of safe, affordable housing and housing instability for lower-income residents remain as red flags in the Springfield/Greene County area. Our homebuying program, which provides a loan with 0% interest and 0% APR, opens up the possibility of homeownership to those that wouldn’t be able to achieve it through a conventional loan.. We also keep people in homes by partnering with homeowners to alleviate critical health and safety issues by completing needed home improvement projects. To learn more about Habitat’s programs, visit habitatspringfieldmo.org/programs.

What’s Next?

The ninth annual Women Build, presented by Arvest Bank, will begin on February 14 with a kickoff luncheon from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Shannon Joy, who is a local artist and motivational speaker, will headline the event. Following the luncheon, we will move over to the build site to kick off the build itself. Ticket sales for the luncheon end on February 8.

Women Build empowers women everywhere to address affordable housing for themselves, their families, and their neighbors. Volunteers work under the guidance of skilled construction workers, and alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. This year, volunteers will work together to build strength and stability through shelter for a local family with two adults and two children.

For tickets to the kickoff luncheon, Women Build t-shirts, and to sign up to volunteer, visit give.habitatspringfieldmo.org/ge/2023wb.

Get Involved.

There are many ways to help build strength, stability, and independence through shelter. Of course, financial gifts are always welcome. Additionally, consider donating your time! Volunteers are the heart of Habitat Springfield. Construction volunteers help build homes and keep construction costs down, ultimately reducing the homebuyers’ loans! Construction skills are not necessary – we’ll teach you everything you need to know. If construction isn’t your thing, you don’t need to lift a hammer to help. From customer service to organizing shelves, the time you give in the ReStore supports the life-changing work we’re doing on construction sites.

Consider giving new life to your new and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials, and household goods. Donate to the ReStore!

Young professionals are also invited to apply to the Habitat Young Professionals board to help advocate for affordable housing in Greene County!

Visit habitatspringfieldmo.org to learn more about donations, volunteerism, or the young professionals board, or email us at info@habitatspringfieldmo.org.