Habitat Charlotte is not immune to the region’s economic woes. However, we are taking advantage of a unique opportunity this environment has created. Habitat Charlotte has strategically decided to purchase several vacant, foreclosed homes.

Even factoring in necessary repairs, the total cost of purchasing these homes is significantly less than the cost to construct a new home.

Habitat Charlotte recently received a $50,000 anonymous donation that was designated as seed money to purchase vacant, foreclosed homes. In response, we’ve decided to launch a Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) to quickly raise money for this specific purpose. This is an urgent need as we believe we only have a short window of opportunity to take advantage of opportunities this real estate market has created.

The goal of the NRI is to raise funds to purchase and renovate at least 10 vacant, foreclosed homes in challenged Charlotte neighborhoods. As a ministry, our hope is to quickly provide homeownership to approved families in need, while also stabilizing and reinvigorating some of the areas most fragile neighborhoods.

This new model is an accelerated response to providing homeownership. Here’s how it works:

• Habitat Charlotte buys an abandoned, bank-owned property
• Volunteers repair and renovate the home
• An approved family completes the required 200 sweat equity hours and then Habitat Charlotte sells the home with a zero interest, no-profit mortgage.
• Your donation will help us serve low-income families

Consider the facts below:

More than 30 families are awaiting house starts because our organization does not currently have the funding available to start their homes. This includes a total of 55 children under the age of 18.
For the first time ever in Habitat Charlotte's 25 year history we have had to suspend new homeowner orientations due to the large list of people already in the pipeline.

In these uncertain times, there is one thing you can count on: your contribution to Habitat Charlotte will make a real difference. Please consider making an online donation or contact our Development Director, Linda Blum at 704.716.7073.