Building Homes and Hope

21st Century Challenge

With the 21st Century Challenge, DCHFH has challenged the community to eliminate substandard housing within the City of Douglasville , and has set a date to meet the challenge of 2015. This is a bold vision for DCHFH and for our community. Can DCHFH eliminate substandard housing alone? No! A successful effort must be one that involves the whole community in the partnership. DCHFH and other housing providers and interest groups such as churches, civic groups, neighborhoods, businesses and other non-profit organizations must join together into a locally driven initiative.

Decent Housing Should Not Be a Lottery

The vision is not to build for a few lucky families. We are not Lottery for Habitat. We are building for everyone. The goal of Habitat for Humanity is that everyone should have at least a simple, decent place to live. We will establish partnerships to address the whole problem so that we do not become a lottery. With a vision of eliminating substandard housing from our community, it will take more than

DCHFH has to offer. It will take more resources, more volunteers, more money and more effort. Only through a broad-based community initiative will a significant impact be made. Every family should be a lucky family when it comes to housing.

Collaboration Generates Success

As a member of our community and as an activist in housing issues, we realize that there are others who are alarmed about the state of substandard housing. Volunteers work together each day, building for Habitat. Working with partner families, DCHFH has made substantial contributions to families and to the community. However, the need for affordable housing increases as quickly as a home is built. In order to make a long-term impact, the trick is to gather together and harness the creativity and energy of key stakeholders who are committed to eliminating substandard housing. Moving forward as a collaborative coalition, a difference will be made.

Long Term Advantages

Consider the example of Americus , GA where Habitat for Humanity International is headquartered. The 700 houses built and rehabilitated represent an investment of $12 million, which generated an economic boost to the community of $84 million, or seven times the initial investment, according to economic development standards. Homeowners are paying property tax for the first time or paying more than before, adding $100,000 per annum to the local tax base. Other long-term benefits may also include more jobs, stronger educational performance from children, better school/work attendance, improved health and less crime.

In an effort to eliminate substandard housing, perhaps a new way of thinking--a new paradigm--is taking shape. Perhaps the new paradigm is one in which responsibility for eliminating substandard housing lies within the community itself, more specifically within the neighborhoods. Perhaps, under this new way of thinking, DCHFH will become the facilitator of a whole coalition that is comprised of other housing agencies, neighborhoods, churches, governmental entities, social service agencies, and civic groups, to name a few. Perhaps what will emerge is a collaborative movement that will come up with creative solutions, resources, commitment and energy. By working together, more people will be reached, limited resources will be more effectively used, duplication of effort will be reduced, and positive solutions will be implemented to address very complex issues.