Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers to help with all aspects of the home ownership program.

Volunteers are needed to help build and repair homes in Polk County and Landrum, and to work in the Landrum ReStore in sales, helping pick up donations and deconstructing kitchens to be sold in the shop.

Volunteers make it possible for habitat to accomplish the mission of homeownership for local families who meet the requirements: currently living in substandard housing, steady employment so they are able to handle a mortgage, willing to spend hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their new home and attending a series of classes on financial management, and home maintenance and repair. Habitat provides a zero percent mortgage that will not be more than 30 percent of the homeowner’s income.

Homeownership is a significant change in the lives of families who previously struggled with low-income rentals in substandard housing.

Owning a decent, energy-efficient home in a safe neighborhood builds self-reliance and provides stability, program representatives said. Habitat home ownership promotes responsible citizenship, decreases reliance on government assistance, improves health outcomes, increases financial stability and builds assets.  Children of habitat families typically do better socially and in school, representatives added.

Volunteers provide the hands-on assistance that makes it possible to accomplish Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Those interested in learning more may visit thermalbelthabitat.org or call 828 694-0340.

– Submitted by Judie Sloan