Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity invites realtors and real estate
companies to join together and partner with families living in
substandard housing to build safe, decent and affordable homes and to
make the dream of homeownership a reality.
Asheville Area Habitat’s goal is to build 14 houses during the fiscal
year 2005-2006. And our plan is to build 80 homes during the next five
years and acquire 100 additional building lots for the following five
years.
Our vision is for realtors and real estate companies to sponsor the
building of one or more of these houses each year by funding the cost
of materials and contributing some of the volunteer labor needed to
construct these houses. The cost to sponsor a Habitat house is $55,000.
Lack of affordable housing in Buncombe County is identified as one of our community’s most serious problems by many diverse sources, including the City of Asheville’s Community Development Department, the Department of Social Services, and the Chamber of Commerce. According to the NC Housing Coalition, over 9,000 families in the county are renters and pay over 30% of their income for housing. Low-income families suffer the most. The coalition estimates that there are over 1,700 substandard housing units in the county. The national Center for Housing Policy identifies Buncombe County as one of the nation’s counties where even licensed practical nurses, police officers, and retail and janitorial workers cannot afford to buy a median-priced home due to the disparity between incomes and housing costs.
Companies can participate at different levels with a per transaction donation or a one-time annual donation as:
- An Individual Pledge
- A Team of Individuals
- An Office Pledge
- A Company Pledge
- An Individual Pledge that includes your Company Matching Funds
Example of Per Transaction Donation:
If there are 10 agents in an office and each agent donates, for example, $50 per transaction, during the year, each agent conducts 40 transactions, this adds up to $2,000 for each agent or $20,000 for the office. Add a company matching program, such as 50% of agents' donation and the total ends up being $30,000. More than half the cost of a Habitat house by one office!
Highly visible way to demonstrate your role in improving our community
Team building work day opportunities at Habitat construction site
PR/Media opportunities
Events recognizing your sponsorship
Way to promote the values of homeownership
If you have questions or if you wish to arrange individual or team building volunteer opportunities, call or email
Jim Lowder, Director of Development at (828) 251-5702.
