Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes^TM
Your car donation can help a family build a house, and the hope of a better life! Car donations help Habitat for Humanity build houses in partnership with families in need of decent, affordable shelter. Donate a car, truck, boat, RV or other vehicle to Habitat's Cars for Homes^TM vehicle donation program by calling 1-877-277-4344 or visiting www.carsforhomes.org

Visit us at North Towne Mall or call 815-713-3184 !

Donate.  Shop.  Volunteer.

Celebrating our first anniversary!

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Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Progress Report

How are We Doing?

• As of September 2007, RAHFH has built 72 homes.

• As of October 2007, 90% of RAHFH homes are occupied by the original homeowners.

• Since 1988, five RAHFH homeowners have signed a quit claim deed back to RAHFH.  One sold her home to a family member.

• Since 1988, four RAHFH homeowners have gone through the foreclosure process.

• Nationally, the Habitat for Humanity foreclosure rate is just under 2%.

• In 2007, the mortgage principal from RAHFH homeowners will exceed $120,000.  This is enough to build 2 homes next year.

• In August of 2005, RAHFH had it’s first mortgage completed by a homeowner.

• In 2007, RAHFH homeowners will contribute to the community by paying approximately $110,000 in property tax.

• According to the 1990 and 2000 decennial census, the citywide homeownership rate rose from 59.6% to 61.1% over the last decade. (Source: Rockford Housing Market Survey, September 2004)

• In Northwest Rockford, where over half of Habitat homes are located, the homeownership rate rose from 60.3% in 1990 to 61.5% in 2000.  RAHFH is seeing success in striving to increase homeownership in lower income neighborhoods. (Source: Rockford Housing Market Survey, September 2004)

• In Northwest Rockford, the total offenses reported to the Rockford Police department dropped 10.2% from 355 in 1994 to 322 in 2004.  (Source: Rockford Police Department, Records Manager).

For more information please call the office at 636-4573.

Congratulations to the first winners of the Floyd and Helen Rickard Volunteerism Award

The 2008 recipients of the Floyd and Helen Rickard Volunteerism Award are Orlyn Huwe and Kathy Ricotta.

This award is given to volunteers who have dedicated themselves to Habitat's mission year-after-year, just as the Rickard's have done since nearly the first home was built in our community.

Photo from Left: Kathy Ricotta, Helen Rickard, Tonya Thayer, Orlyn Huwe

Orlyn Huwe began volunteering for Habitat while serving as a Site Leader for the Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries home that is built each year. He also served on the Habitat board of directors. Orlyn served a key role on the Habitat ReStore committee as the building surplus supply shop became a reality. Now Orlyn provides customer service and home improvement wisdom to the ReStore patrons.

Kathy Ricotta embodies the mission of Habitat. Through action, not words, Kathy has worked with new and future homeowners in their quest to improve their lives. Kathy chairs the Family Partnership Committee and acts as a liaison between the Habitat office and the homeowners. She has actively participated in family selection, special events planning, speaker's bureau and site selection. As a real estate agent, Kathy has volunteered to use her expertise to locate and negotiate the sale of lots to the affiliate. She has spent countless hours researching lots and owners, working with title companies, and working with attorneys.

Thank you to Kathy and Orlyn for their generous spirits, support of our mission, and quest to bring the need for safe, affordable shelter to the hearts and minds of people everywhere.

How to earn homeownership

..... from the ground up!