Have you ever wondered what goes into building a Habitat home? We talked with Shellie Barrus, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, about the home-building process and how Habitat guides homeowners to long-term success.
Planning & Permitting
In recent years, Habitat has focused on building homes in Summit County’s Silver Creek Village, a master-planned community with a mix of affordable, attainable, and market-rate housing, interspersed with parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. So, while the land for next homes has been secured, and the designs have been established, there’s still a lot of work to be done before the new builds begin.
Habitat goes through the Planning Department and the permitting process in Summit County to start this undertaking - the same as any other builder. Over the years, as building codes change, the process may change, requiring additional meetings with partners to ensure Habitat addresses the new requirements.
Starting the Home-building Process
On the build Habitat is currently working on, the organization is the general contractor. Staff meets with subcontractors and suppliers one-on-one to discuss each job's scope. “We talk about the project, engage them in the work that Habitat is doing, and see how they might want to support us,” Barrus explains.
More importantly, Barrus explains, these conversations allow her team to explain who these homes are for. “I think that’s an important connection for Habitat to make [for the subcontractors and suppliers] that might be different from other builders they work with,” she says.
Habitat then reviews the submitted bids and solidifies contracts with partners. In the meantime, Barrus and her team also secure the construction financing so shovels can break ground. Once building physically begins, Habitat can enlist volunteers to pick up hammers and paint brushes to make a family’s dream of owning a home a reality.
Selecting the Future Homeowners
Families working in our community (Summit County for Silver Creek Village units) submit an application for consideration to Habitat’s Homeownership Program. All applicants are evaluated on three main Habitat for Humanity International criteria:
- Need for better housing due to current living conditions and/or unaffordable local housing costs
- Ability to pay an affordable mortgage
- Willingness to partner with Habitat through “sweat equity,” meaning putting in time and labor to work with Habitat and its partners to support habitat’s work by volunteering. It is especially great if they can help build their own homes and other homes in the community
During the homeowner selection process, Habitat’s Homeowner Services Committee evaluates several factors. This includes an in-depth review of income, debt, and living expenses, along with verifying the applicants’ credit report, tax returns, and bank statements. Applicants moving forward are interviewed for additional information and, in some cases, staff visits the family’s current home for a better picture of their living conditions. Habitat also considers if applicants will be able to continue to financially manage and maintain their home upon its completion.
Ensuring Long-term Success
The Habitat team stays connected with homeowners throughout the entire home-building process, providing financial education and homeownership classes as well as by pairing homeowners with local volunteers from their Homeowner Services Committee for one-on-one coaching on various topics, including long-term financial savings and planning for retirement, children’s college expenses or other large goals
It's time to celebrate once the home is built and all the necessary steps have been completed. Habitat hosts a Home Dedication event, when homeowner families reflect on their hard work and receive the keys to their new place to live.
Habitat for Humanity homeowners stay within the organization’s family too. Staff and volunteers continue to see homeowners in Silver Creek Village, at the Park City ReStore, and throughout the community. Habitat also invites homeowner families to stay involved with Habitat through volunteer activities, events and committees.
Join Us
Apply for Habitat’s Homeownership Program or sign up as a volunteer! We need your support to help us transform lives and communities in Summit and Wasatch counties.
