One of my passions is Habitat for Humanity and I spend most of my time working for the organization. I work on local project as well as projects out of our area including the international community. Some of my chores include fund raising, construction, management (Board of Directors) and promoting public awareness of the mission and purpose of Habitat. It was in that role that I presented the program to this club in March of this year. Since that time the noon Rotary club members and their families have donated over 450 hours of work to the local affiliate. These hours have either been at the Restore or on the construction site where we are building five homes. This is truly a demonstration of service above self and for that I thank you.

After many of you listened to my presentation there were some who still had questions. The questions were about qualifications and what were the actual costs to construct the affordable homes here in Forest Grove.

Who-What -Cost.

First the who. There are basically five requirements. #1--Be a citizen of the US or a documented, permanent resident.  #2 --Be an individual or family whose combined income is in the category of low to moderate income.  Less than 50% of the Washington County mean. (This number is set by HUD every year)--in our area the numbers are:

Single:  -----------------------------------------Between $25,550 and $ 40,900 thousand per year.

Married family of two: ---------------------Between $29,200 and $46,750 thousand per year.

Married family of three: -------------------Between $ 32,850 and $52,600 thousand per year.

Married family of four: ---------------------Between $36,500 and $58,400 thousand per year.

and range between $25,550 and $77,100 thousand per year

#3 --Have filed a US income statement for the past 2 years. #4--Have a satisfactory credit rating, and #5-- Be willing to spend at least 300 hours toward building the new home.

 Next what will it cost a family to buy a Habitat Home? The mortgage is a contract between Habitat and an individual. The amount is the cost of building the house with no interest and for 20 years. The contract adds a yearly adjustable fee for property tax, insurance, and in the case of the new homes in Forest Grove a HOA fee. The affiliate holds a silent second for the difference between the cost and the market for the first 19years.  The buyer payment will total about $ 800 per month.

The cost to build a home depends on many factors.  In the case of the homes being built at the present location. The costs are for: land -($12,800), for city required public improvements-($12,400) , county fees and services TIT($1,900)  & CWS- ($1720), engineering and architectural service-($2,616 --DONATED),  city fees :electrical power-($1,460 ),Water-($  1,460 ),school district,-($1,300) {delayed} metro , state ,and building permits--All collected by the city-ESTIMATE($21,000) .  Then comes the actual cost of construction. The foundation-($5,283), framing, plumbing, electrical, insulation, mechanical, walls, flooring, trusses, roof, painting, landscaping, and appliances all of these items for the first house are under way.  The budget is $49,780). The actual cost varies by location.  So far for house #1 we have committed $40,400 for fees and required public improvements. The land and construction cost are at ($ 27,483 for construction and material, ($12,400) for Land for a total commitment to date of $80,283 with an additional requirement for around $37,00.  The new goal is to bring the home to market for around $110, 000. Monthly cost would be around $459principal, $196 county tax,$104 insurance, And HOPA of $21 The total  is $780 for this three bedroom home with a, garage and all appliances .

Using the HUD guide line of 30% for housing this means that the family must have an income of at least $ 28,080.00-- A habitat home is targeted to the poor working class, Teacher aids, first step police officer or fireman, Store clerks, cashier, bank teller, utility worker and food service professionals.